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Team Liquid vs FaZe Clan preview: Winner likely to qualify for Major, loser to be forced to make SI 2023 qualifier run

It’s do-or-die day for some teams today.

A second day of the final super-week in Brazil is over, with just one match day left in Stage 3. Here's everything that happened and everything that is still yet to come.

Three overtimes for the second day in a row

For the second day in a row, the first three matches of the day were decided in overtime. 

Current third placed in the standings, FaZe Clan defeated MIBR on Skyscraper after Luca “LuKid” Sereno carried the team to overtime. For the second time in a row, Lucas “soulz1” Schinke was FaZe’s man of the match, as he and José “Bullet1” Victor secured five of the team’s eight entry kills.

Later on, FURIA Esports defeated TropiCaos by an 8-6 margin, with this being the former INTZ roster's second overtime loss of the week. Meanwhile, w7m esports defeated Team oNe by the exact same scoreline and climbed to second, pushing oNe down to sixth place.

The next game was just the opposite to three overtime matches, as Black Dragons got a flawless victory against Ninjas in Pyjamas. Felipe “nade” Ferreira, with a SiegeGG Rating of 1.98 and a perfect KOST, was the man of the match.

Finally, the upset of the day came in the last match, as 00 Nation defeated Team Liquid in regulation time. With Luccas “Paluh” Molina, Gabriel “AsK” Santos, and André “NESKWGA” Oliveira going cold for most of the game, it was the team’s support Lorenzo “Lagonis” Volpi who kept the team alive. 

Liquid’s defeat means they are now in fourth with 14 points, one point behind FaZe Clan. Today, both teams will meet for a place at this stage’s Copa Elite Six. 

What to expect from Sunday’s games?

  • Ninjas in Pyjamas vs FURIA Esports
  • Black Dragons vs Team oNe
  • MIBR vs 00 Nation
  • w7m esports vs TropiCaos
  • Team Liquid vs FaZe Clan

With seven teams still in the race for four Copa Elite Six spots, every point counts. Black Dragons and w7m have the upper hand as they lead the standings with 16 points, but everything could change by the end of the day.

FURIA will face NiP for three points that would see the black panthers equaling that tally, as round difference could end up coming in play. After that game, Black Dragons will face Team oNe, as both sides are desperate for the points. While a point works for BD, Team oNe need to win and wait for other results somewhere else. 

Later on, MIBR will try to qualify for a Six Major for the first time since the Raleigh Major, as they will play against 00 Nation. The game will be followed by the clash between w7m and a TropiCaos who will hope to finally win a game, even if it is in overtime.

Finally, Liquid and FaZe Clan will meet in what’s arguably going to be the most important game of the season. Keep on reading to know all the important details about the clash:

Head-to-head

Throughout 2022, both FaZe Clan and Team Liquid have met on four occasions – two at the Brasileirao and the other two at the Six Invitational 2022.

  • SI 2022 Group Stage: Team Liquid wins 2-0
  • SI 2022 Upper Bracket Quarterfinals: Team Liquid wins 2-0
  • BR6 2022 Stage 1: Team Liquid wins 7-3
  • BR6 2022 Stage 2: FaZe Clan wins 8-6

Team Liquid are clearly the better side here, with FaZe Clan having won only one of the last six maps played. However, Liquid’s advantage comes from the team’s superiority at BO3 series. When it comes to BO1 games, Liquid seem to struggle.

Third time there is a Six Major spot at stake

As both teams head into the final day of competition split by just one point in the standings, the result of the clash will be crucial. Liquid missed out on the Berlin Major last stage after losing to FaZe Clan, while FaZe missed out on the Charlotte Major against Liquid on Stage 1.

This game is the most important of the season for both teams. Not only is a Jönköping Major spot at stake, but also a ticket to the Six Invitational 2023. The loser will likely miss out on the Copa Elite Six and won't finish among the top 16 sides in the SI Points Global Standings.

Currently, FaZe are in 13th place in the Global Standings with 525 SI Points, while Team Liquid are three place behind with 445 SI Points. With people expecting a tally around 700 SI Points to be sufficient to qualify for the Six Invitational, the loser will have to make their own luck at LATAM’s regional qualifier against other sides, including 00 Nation, MIBR, Ninjas in Pyjamas, and Black Dragons.

Soulz1 is the key

On Stage 2, soulz1’s performance against Team Liquid was crucial to send FaZe Clan to the Berlin Major, pushing Liquid outside of the top four. This weekend, the Brazilian averaged a SiegeGG Rating of 1.33, keeping FaZe in the race with two overtime victories.

Meanwhile, Team Liquid’s performance yesterday against 00 Nation is very worrying for their hopes. While Lagonis responded to the call, the rest of his team was unable to answer and will need to perform against FaZe Clan for any chance at the Major.

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