NA SI Closed Qualifier Day 1: TSM triumph, Mirage knocked out, Parabellum and 1shot still in running

_{Image via Ubisoft}

The first day of the NA SI Qualifier brought some expected results, one unexpected one, and a whole slew of tech issues. 

The first two matches of the day were unable to be fully broadcast at least partially due to a Spectrum internet blackout in the city of San Antonio, Texas, where CCS’s production was based. The production issues were eventually solved, but not before exactly half of the day's matches were completed. 

The stream went down just three rounds into the TSM FTX vs. Parabellum Esports match. 

TSM FTX would go on to win the match 2-0 (7-0, 7-4). 1shot defeated Mirage in their first match of the day. 

The TSM FTX vs. 1shot match was the first match that was streamed, and it got off to a rocking start. 1shot fought and clawed their way to a 7-5 on Chalet before TSM FTX put them down on consecutive 7-4 scorelines on Kafe and Villa. 

Next up were Parabellum and Mirage. Mirage, in hindsight, made a very questionable decision to take Parabellum to Bank, one of their best maps. It was a quick wipe for the new NAL squad, they won relatively handily. Parabellum notched every single opening pick on the second map, Chalet, en route to a 7-4 victory to take the series 2-0. 

With the loss, Mirage is eliminated from the Qualifier. We’ll next see them in the 2022 iteration of the NAL during Stage 1. TSM FTX has punched their ticket to the grand final, and Parabellum and 1shot will fight tomorrow to have another shot at TSM FTX for North America’s final spot at the Six Invitational.