NRG overturned a 10–6 deficit on Lotus before closing out T1 2–0 in the Valorant Champions 2026 upper quarterfinals on October 7. Wins of 13–11 on Lotus and 13–7 on Summit sent NRG into an upper semifinal against LOUD, while T1 dropped into the lower bracket.
The sweep did not come easily. On their Lotus pick, T1 built a 7–3 lead on attack and reached halftime 7–5 ahead. Three wins in the opening four rounds after the switch extended their advantage to 10–6, putting them within reach of the opener.
NRG then won six consecutive rounds to take a 12–10 lead. T1 pulled one back, but NRG secured the final round to complete the comeback. A promising start had slipped away, leaving T1 needing to win NRG’s map pick to stay in the series.
Summit offered T1 another opening. After trailing 7–5 at halftime, they won the second-half pistol and the following round to draw level. NRG answered with another six-round streak, this time finishing the map without allowing T1 another round.
brawk finished with a series-high 39 kills against 21 deaths, including 21 kills on Summit. mada contributed 36 kills overall, while keiko added 34 kills and 23 assists, according to the VLR match statistics.
LOUD Rematch Gives NRG a Score to Settle
NRG will face LOUD on October 10, with a place in the upper final at stake. LOUD reached the matchup by sweeping Paper Rex, setting up an all-Americas semifinal.
There is recent history behind this meeting: LOUD beat NRG 3–2 in the Americas Stage 2 lower final. NRG now have an opportunity to reverse that result on the Champions stage.
For T1, Paper Rex await on October 9. Having already beaten JDG and FUT Esports in elimination matches during the group stage, T1 must once again win to keep their tournament alive.