VCT Game Changers Championship 2026 · Playoffs · 31 Oct 2026
Shopify Rebellion Gold1 – 3KRÜ Blaze
Bo5 · 1: SRG · 2: KRÜ · 3: KRÜ · 4: KRÜ
On Saturday, 31 October, KRÜ Blaze lost the opening map but came back strongly to secure victories in the subsequent three maps. This triumph negated their previous defeat in the upper bracket semi-final against Shopify Rebellion Gold and propels the Argentine team into the championship final. Unfortunately, Shopify Rebellion Gold ends their journey with this loss.
This outcome runs counter to the power rankings. Shopify Rebellion Gold entered the match as the 10th-ranked team with a rating of 1782, while KRÜ Blaze was ranked 20th with 1742. However, KRÜ Blaze’s impressive record of 63-21 over 84 rated matches outshines that of their opponent.
Three consecutive maps following a 47-minute opener
Shopify Rebellion Gold managed to take the first map, which lasted 47 minutes. KRÜ Blaze quickly equalized with the second map, which was completed in just 37 minutes, and then moved ahead with a 50-minute victory in the third.
The fourth map turned out to be significantly longer, lasting 70 minutes. KRÜ Blaze clinched the victory there, securing their best-of-five series without the need for a deciding match.
The encounter on 27 October had been considerably more lopsided, with Shopify Rebellion Gold winning that upper bracket semi-final 2-0, which caused KRÜ Blaze to drop into the lower bracket. Prior to this, KRÜ Blaze had begun their playoff journey with a 2-1 victory over Gen.G GC in the upper bracket quarter-finals.
KRÜ Blaze’s lower bracket streak hits three wins
With their latest victory, KRÜ Blaze achieved their third consecutive win in the lower bracket. Their previous two victories were both sweeps, as they took down Team Liquid Brazil 2-0 in the quarter-finals and eliminated MIBR GC by the same score in the semi-finals.
This run signifies they have secured seven out of the eight maps they have contested since falling to the lower bracket. Additionally, they entered the championship as the champions of the Latin America regional final, defeating Akave Esports Black 3-1.
Shopify Rebellion Gold exit after consecutive defeats
Earlier in the week, Shopify Rebellion Gold had appeared to be in a strong position, having won against SK Nebula 2-0 in the upper bracket quarter-finals, followed by their win against KRÜ Blaze. They had also come into the championship following two victories over FlyQuest RED in the North America Stage 2 competition.
The upper bracket final presented a turning point, with Gentle Mates GC defeating them 2-1, which secured a direct path to the final for their opponents. The loss on Saturday means that the North American team concludes their run with two straight series losses.
Next, KRÜ Blaze will compete against Gentle Mates GC on Sunday, 1 November, which marks the championship’s conclusion. Gentle Mates GC made their way to the final without a loss in the playoffs, having swept MIBR GC 2-0 in the upper bracket semi-finals before overcoming Shopify Rebellion Gold.
