FUT Esports Eliminate Legacy at IEM Krakow 2026 Stage 1

On January 29, 2026, at the Intel Extreme Masters (IEM) Kraków 2026 Stage 1 event, FUT Esports delivered one of the standout upsets in the early rounds by eliminating Legacy from contention. In a best-of-three match that saw FUT control the tempo from start to finish, Legacy — a Brazilian side that had begun the year with some positive momentum — was sent out of the tournament 2–0 in a decisive lower-bracket clash. 

The series started on Dust2, a map often selected for its balance and tactical depth. FUT quickly seized the initiative and controlled the map from the opening rounds. Dmytro “dem0n” Myroshnychenko and Laurențiu “lauNX” Țârlea were instrumental in FUT’s early dominance, each notching multiple multi-kill rounds and applying relentless pressure on Legacy’s defense. By the end of the map, FUT closed it out 13–7, leaving Legacy struggling to find answers — especially on rounds where FUT’s aggressive CT approaches and disciplined utility usage kept Legacy’s entries at bay. 

With momentum firmly in their favor, FUT carried their confidence into the second map, Ancient. Legacy managed to find some rhythm on the CT side early and even took several key mid-rounds, but FUT’s trio of dem0n, lauNX, and Aulon “Krabeni” Fazlija repeatedly swung crucial engagements back in FUT’s favor. Despite a notable 1-versus-3 clutch from Legacy’s Lucas “lux” Meneghini that briefly sparked hope, FUT steadily regained control through strong mid-round reads and superior trade efficiency. The Europeans ultimately finished the map 13–10 to clinch the series and send Legacy home. 

The result confirmed a difficult start to 2026 for Legacy, who had entered the year with some promise. The Brazilian squad had closed out 2025 on a high note with strong performances — including winning the CS Asia Championships and finishing second at PGL Bucharest, but their transition into this season has been less smooth. In a recent Brazilianregional event (BetBoom RUSH B Summit), they managed only third place after losses to MIBR and Sharks, and their last-place finish at IEM Kraków Stage 1 extends their early struggles. 

Legacy’s roster for the match consisted of vinicius “n1ssim” Pereira, Guilherme “saadzin” Pacheco, Eduardo “dumau” Wolkmer, Lucas “lux” Meneghini, and Bruno “latto” Rebelatto, with the team ranked around #20 in the world in the HLTV rankings at the time. 

For FUT, the victory injects a surge of momentum into their campaign. After topping their lower-bracket matchup, they earned the right to play the loser of the Stage 1 match between Team Liquid and G2 Esports for a chance to advance to Stage 2 — effectively the main event bracket of IEM Kraków. A Stage 2 berth would place FUT among the final eight teams competing for valuable ESL Pro Tour (EPT) points and a significant portion of the event’s $1 million prize pool. 

The broader IEM Kraków 2026 Stage 1 consisted of a sixteen-team double-elimination bracket, featuring a blend of established CS2 powerhouses and rising squads. Teams such as Aurora Gaming, B8, Parivision, Heroic, NRG, Ninjas in Pyjamas, and Passion UA were also part of the initial stage, with eight teams advancing onward to Stage 2 alongside eight directly invited teams like Furia, Vitality, and Falcons. 

Legacy’s early elimination reflects the highly competitive nature of the counter-strike landscape in 2026. With so many teams possessing deep tactical arsenals and strong individual firepower, upsets have become increasingly common — and FUT’s win is a textbook example of that trend. Meanwhile, Legacy will now regroup and likely head back to regional events to recalibrate before their next international LAN opportunity.