G2 Esports defeated last year's Valorant Champions grand finalists Paper Rex in the Americans' debut in the competition. After winning on Icebox (13-8) the North Americans confirmed the victory with a 13-9 victory on Lotus.
With this result, G2 Esports have moved to the Winners Match, where they will play against the winning side of the clash between EDward Gaming and FUT Esports. Meanwhile, Paper Rex will play against the defeated roster.
It's not the only time both sides have clashed internationally as G2 Esports also took the victory against the Asian roster at the VCT Masters Shanghai. Back then, the Americans won the series after victories on Lotus and Bind.
Following the team's second-place finish at the VCT 2024 Americas, G2 Esports became the only former Ascension roster to qualify for the Valorant Champions 2024. Now, less than a year after being picked up by G2 Esports, the Americans are one win away from sneaking into the quarter-finals.
On the other hand, this is Paper Rex's first defeat at a Valorant Championship opening match. Previously, EDward Gaming and KRÜ Esports fell against the Asian roster in 2022 and 2023. Curiously enough, Paper Rex has always shared their Valorant Champions group with EDward Gaming and defeated the Chinese side on both occasions. If the VCT China 2024 champions fall against FUT Esports later today, both teams will meet in the group's Elimination Match next week.