VCT 2026: Americas Kickoff — G2 Esports defeat Cloud9 2:0

G2 Esports secured a convincing 2–0 series win over Cloud9 in the Upper Bracket of VCT 2026: Americas Kickoff. Despite Cloud9 showing moments of promise, G2’s consistency, tactical execution, and individual skill carried them through both maps.

Corrode — 13:11 G2 Esports

The series opened on Corrode, where Cloud9 initially held a slight advantage. They led 7–5 at halftime on defense and repeatedly challenged G2’s attacks. However, after switching sides, G2 excelled on defense, winning eight rounds and pressuring Cloud9 at key points. The map remained tight throughout, but G2’s late-game precision and positioning ultimately secured a 13–11 victory. Leaf, BABYBAY, and trent all contributed heavily, providing both kills and map control.

Bind — 13:9 G2 Esports

On Bind, the map started evenly, with both teams exchanging rounds to a 6–6 halftime score. In the second half, G2 gained momentum, winning seven of the next ten rounds. Cloud9 attempted a comeback but struggled to hold sites under G2’s coordinated attacks. Strong dueling, efficient utility usage, and superior economic management allowed G2 to close the map 13–9 and win the series without dropping a map.

With this result, G2 Esports advance further in the upper bracket, while Cloud9 drop down and face a more difficult path forward. The match highlighted G2’s early-season form and tactical depth in the Americas Kickoff.

VCT 2026: Americas Kickoff features 12 teams competing in Los Angeles for Championship Points, early-season momentum, and qualification spots for Masters Santiago. The triple-elimination format allows teams multiple chances to recover, but upper bracket victories like this one give a significant advantage toward the later stages of the tournament.