MOUZ Shock FaZe Clan, Knock Them Out of IEM Kraków 2026

MOUZ Shock FaZe Clan, Knock Them Out of IEM Kraków 2026

At IEM Kraków 2026’s Group B lower bracket stage, MOUZ delivered a commanding performance to eliminate former CS2 powerhouse FaZe Clan with a clean 2-0 series victory on February 3, 2026. The result not only secured MOUZ’s continued survival in the tournament but also ended FaZe’s hopes of advancing further at one of the season’s most important LAN events. 

FaZe — who entered the event as one of the more experienced and decorated squads in professional Counter-Strike — struggled throughout the match against MOUZ. Despite a history of deep runs at majors and high-tier events, including strong results as recently as the 2025 season, FaZe could not find traction against their opponents in Poland. 

Series Overview: Mirage and Inferno Dominate

The series began on Mirage, with MOUZ immediately asserting control. After winning the opening pistol round and dominating early, MOUZ raced to a massive 11-1 half-time lead, leaving FaZe’s offense unable to stabilize. Though FaZe managed a handful of rounds on defense, they were overwhelmed as MOUZ closed out the map 13-5. 

On Inferno, FaZe again showed some early promise, winning both pistols. However, MOUZ quickly regrouped and built a strong lead, taking a 9-3 advantage at the half. The momentum stayed with MOUZ as they methodically shut down FaZe’s attempts to push back, finishing the map 13-6 to seal the sweep. 

Across both maps, MOUZ’s individual performances stood out, with players like Ádám “torzsi” Torzsás, Jimi “Jimpphat” Salo, Lotan “Spinx” Giladi, and Dorian “xertioN” Berman contributing strong numbers to outplay FaZe’s roster throughout the series. 

FaZe’s Disappointing Campaign in Kraków

FaZe’s elimination marks a disappointing end to their IEM Kraków run. Prior to the match with MOUZ, FaZe had already dropped several map picks in earlier group play — including losses to 3DMAX and BC.Game, both of which contributed to FaZe sliding into the lower bracket. Their only series victory in Kraków came against s1mple’s BC.Game, with a 2-1 result that kept them alive temporarily before falling to MOUZ. 

Ultimately, FaZe finished in the 9–12th place range, exiting the event without securing a spot in the playoffs — a notable underperformance for an organization with a long history in Counter-Strike and several major achievements to its name. 

MOUZ Advances, Playoff Hopes Still Alive

With the victory over FaZe, MOUZ advanced to the Group B lower bracket final, where they were set to face Falcons, another elite squad competing in Kraków. This match would determine which team moves on to the tournament’s playoff stage and which team goes home. 

The win is significant for MOUZ, a team that has faced ups and downs throughout the competitive season but has shown resilience on LAN. By reaching the brink of playoffs at IEM Kraków — one of ESL’s Premier level events — they reasserted themselves as a serious contender in top-tier Counter-Strike. 

Broader Event Context

IEM Kraków 2026 has featured numerous familiar names and surprising results. Alongside FaZe’s exit, other established teams such as Astralis and 3DMAX were also eliminated earlier in the event’s Stage 2 competition, highlighting the deep level of competition in the field. Matches featuring upsets — such as **3DMAX’s victory over FaZe in an earlier series — contributed to shaping the tournament’s lower bracket. 

Other notable results during the same stage saw teams like FURIA Esports and Vitality advancing with strong performances, underscoring the unpredictable and highly competitive landscape of the 2026 CS2 season. 

Looking Ahead

As MOUZ prepared to face Falcons, all eyes were on that matchup to crown the next team in the IEM Kraków playoff bracket. Both teams — stacked with star talent and capable of high-octane play — offered compelling narratives: MOUZ seeking redemption after a less consistent season, and Falcons aiming to maintain their elite status from recent tournaments. 

The result against FaZe will likely be remembered as a pivotal moment in MOUZ’s event — a win that injected new life into their tournament journey and delivered one of the event’s most talked-about upsets.