The VALORANT Champions tournament got off to a bang as Group B, often touted as the toughest of them all, lived up to expectations. One match was a dominant display of skill and strategy, the other a nail-biting affair that tested both teams to their limits.

For the opening match of the tournament, Gen.G, playing on home turf, dominated the Sentinels in a decisive 2-0 victory to settle the score after the VCT Masters Madrid grand final loss. The Korean team’s aggressive playstyle and impeccable teamwork proved too much for the North American giants. Gen.G duelist T3xture in particular was a standout performer, pushing the Sentinels to their limits time and time again. And despite their reputation as a global VALORANT powerhouse, the NA team found themselves on the backfoot throughout the series.

If the first match was a display of dominance, the second was a masterclass in resilience and determination, with Team Heretics and FunPlus Phoenix engaging in a thrilling battle that showcased their top-tier gameplay.

Abyss—making its debut on the international stage—set the tone for the entire match as both teams traded blow for blow rounds, forcing the map into overtime. TH ultimately emerged victorious, but the match was far from over. FPX bounced back on Bind, showing their ability to adapt and execute a different strategy by deploying an unconventional agent lineup to bring Chamber onto the field. FPX’s decision to have Chamber play on Bind was a strategic choice based on successful practice, as the team would later state during the post-match press conference.