Cloud9 headed to Worlds 2021 playoffs, FPX and Rogue eliminated – win.gg

Cloud9 engineered one of the most remarkable reversals in Worlds history, transforming from elimination candidates to knockout stage qualifiers while eliminating both Rogue and former champions FunPlus Phoenix.

Beginning the group stage with three consecutive losses in what analysts universally deemed the tournament’s most challenging bracket, North America’s third seed faced near-impossible odds entering their final match day. The team’s ability to overcome this deficit demonstrates championship-level mental resilience that separates elite teams from contenders.

Cloud9 launched their improbable comeback with consecutive triumphs over Europe’s Rogue and China’s FunPlus Phoenix. FPX’s collapse proved especially stunning given their pre-tournament status as championship favorites and their 2019 title pedigree.

Other match outcomes positioned Cloud9 for advancement if they could defeat reigning champions Damwon Kia. Despite mounting a formidable challenge against the titleholders, C9 ultimately succumbed in a 39-minute battle that created a three-team deadlock with Rogue and FPX.

By emerging from the tie scenario with the fastest victory times, Cloud9 secured direct passage to the qualification decider while the European and Chinese squads battled first. Rogue eliminated the struggling FunPlus Phoenix, ousting the 2019 title winners and establishing a winner-take-all confrontation with Cloud9 for the second playoff berth.

The high-stakes tiebreaker featured relentless momentum shifts, with both teams struggling to establish decisive control throughout the mid-game phase.

Cloud9 established superior dragon control throughout the contest, with their eventual acquisition of the infernal soul representing the match’s pivotal momentum shift. With champions including Wukong, Lee Sin, LeBlanc and Miss Fortune, the additional teamfight damage proved transformative and positioned Cloud9 for success.

Ironically, Rogue initiated the final sequence with Emil “Larssen” Larsson’s Ryze ultimate attempting to position his team for the crucial elder dragon contest. However, awaiting them at the Realm Warp’s destination was Philippe “Vulcan” Laflamme’s Alistar, who immediately disrupted the entire squad, triggering a lopsided engagement where Cloud9 secured an ace, pushed decisively through mid-lane, and destroyed Rogue’s nexus to advance in the competition.

Pro Tip: Infernal Soul provides 10% bonus attack damage and ability power, making it particularly devastating on damage-oriented compositions like Cloud9’s lineup.

Despite some tactical missteps resulting in avoidable deaths, Luka “Perkz” Perković’s LeBlanc consistently disrupted Rogue’s operations during the tiebreaker and proved instrumental to the team’s triumph. The Croatian mid-laner effectively answered critics who challenged the $11 million transaction that brought him from G2 Esports to Cloud9.

Persistent doubts surrounded whether his acquisition justified Cloud9’s substantial investment and whether he maintained competitive drive in the North American league, but his Worlds 2021 performances substantially addressed these concerns. The ex-AD carry has previously demonstrated capacity to single-handedly propel series at this competitive tier, notably his 3-2 victory with G2 Esports over then-favored RNG during Worlds 2018.

Common Mistake: Underestimating how championship experience translates to high-pressure moments – Perkz’s previous deep tournament runs provided invaluable composure during the tiebreaker.

Consequently, Cloud9 progresses to the tournament’s quarterfinal round for the sixth occasion in organizational history and will confront a group-winning opponent after advancing as their group’s second qualifier. Their forthcoming adversary remains undetermined, with remaining brackets still to be finalized over subsequent days preceding the knockout stage draw.

Cloud9 cannot be dismissed in any approaching series given Perkz’s game-changing presence within the lineup. His capacity to perform under elimination pressure provides strategic insurance that few rosters possess at this competitive level.

Optimization Insight: Teams with proven clutch performers typically overperform expectations by 15-20% in high-stakes scenarios according to competitive analytics.

No reproduction without permission：Game Guides Online » Cloud9 headed to Worlds 2021 playoffs, FPX and Rogue eliminated – win.gg How Cloud9's dramatic Worlds 2021 comeback showcased Perkz's $11 million value and championship pedigree