SemperFi eliminated from ESL Pro League Season 23 after loss to Team Liquid

At ESL Pro League Season 23, an important Stage 1 match took place between Team Liquid and SemperFi. Both teams were fighting to stay alive in the tournament, which made the series tense and it went the full three maps. In the end, Liquid secured the victory and kept their hopes alive, while SemperFi were eliminated from the event.

Map veto:

1. SemperFi removed Nuke
2. Liquid removed Overpass
3. SemperFi picked Dust2
4. Liquid picked Mirage
5. SemperFi removed Ancient
6. Liquid removed Anubis
7. Inferno was left over

On the first map, Dust2, picked by SemperFi, the first half ended in a close 6:6 scoreline. However, after the side switch, Liquid completely dominated on the T side and closed the map 13:6 without dropping a single round in the second half.

On Mirage, Liquid’s map pick, the Australian side delivered a strong first half, leading 9:3. That advantage gave them enough control to finish the map 13:7 and tie the series.

On the deciding Inferno, Liquid showed solid defense and secured a 10:2 lead in the first half. Although SemperFi tried to regain momentum after the switch, Liquid managed to win the necessary rounds and closed the map 13:10.

Match MVP

The MVP of the match was EliGE, who finished the series with 91.5 ADR and a 1.35 rating.

SemperFi became the first team to be eliminated from the tournament, finishing in 15th–16th place in Stage 1 and earning $3,000 in prize money. Liquid remain in the competition with a 1–2 record, where their next match could be their last. ESL Pro League Season 23 Stage 1 runs from March 1 to March 5, with 16 teams competing for 8 spots in the second stage. Only eight teams will advance, while the other eight will share $39,000 in prize money.