B8 Stun G2 2–1 in EPL S22, Edge Closer to Budapest Major Qualification

B8 Stun G2 2–1 in EPL S22, Edge Closer to Budapest Major Qualification

In a surprising upset at ESL Pro League Season 22 (EPL S22), B8 defeated G2 Esports 2–1 in the 1–1 pool of Stage 1, securing a vital win that moves them one step closer to a Budapest Major berth. 

The maps played were Mirage, Dust2, and Ancient:

• Mirage went 13–9 in favor of B8

• Dust2 swung back to G2 with a 13–7 victory

• Ancient ended decisively, with B8 taking it 13–2

• With this win, B8 collected 46 VRS points and climbed into #14 on the projected Major invite list — comfortably within the top 16 cutoff. 

Meanwhile, G2’s path has become precarious: after this loss, they must string together two consecutive wins just to stay in contention for Stage 2 of EPL. 

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Match Highlights & Turning Points

First Half Dominance & Retakes

From the outset, B8 established control. The first half of Ancient was particularly lopsided: the Ukrainian side surged to a 10–2 halftime lead, backed by aggressive retakes and cohesive CT setups. 

A second-half pistol win sealed Ancient for B8, and their momentum was nearly unassailable. A standout moment was esenthial’s 1v3 clutch, a critical play that sealed the map and series victory. 

G2’s Struggles & Earlier Upheaval

Earlier in Stage 1, G2 suffered an unexpected setback: they were upset by Gentle Mates, who beat them 2–1 in an earlier round. That loss forced G2 into the 1–1 pool, increasing the pressure for their match against B8.

Thus, G2 arrived to play B8 under uphill conditions — with fewer safety nets and higher stakes in every round. 

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Implications for B8 & G2

B8’s Rise & Major Prospects

This victory not only boosts B8’s confidence but significantly improves their Major prospects. With the VRS boost and strong performance on a pressure map like Ancient, B8 are now firmly in conversation for an invite to Budapest.

Their lineup — npl, alex666, esenthial, kensizor, and headtr1ck — has shown marked improvements this season. Currently, B8 are ranked around #21 globally. 

G2’s Precarious Position

For G2, this loss amplifies the stakes dramatically. Missing Stage 2 or falling short in EPL would damage their ability to gain VRS points and secure Major qualification.

G2’s current roster includes familiar names like huNter-, malbsMd, SunPayus, MATYS, and HeavyGod.  Their journey now requires resilience and consistency to bounce back.

Given the surprise loss to Gentle Mates earlier, their momentum is already shaken. 

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Context: EPL S22 & Road to Budapest

EPL S22 is one of the premier Tier-1 CS2 events, and performance here carries not only immediate prestige but also VRS weight and Major qualification implications. 

The tournament’s format means that teams must navigate Swiss pools, with only the top performing squads advancing to Stage 2 in Stockholm. 

For B8, this match was a make-or-break moment. A win like this against a strong opponent like G2 can accelerate their path upward — both in terms of Karma (momentum) and VRS leverage.