The stakes were high in the LoL Worlds 2024 Swiss Stage Round 3. In a struggle to evade elimination, Team Liquid made sure that they were the one to advance in the tournament. paiN Gaming, on the other hand, took the North American team’s beating.
Tooth-and-Nail: Team Liquid and paiN Gaming’s Desperate Battle
Day 5 of the League of Legends World Championship 2024 Swiss Stage saw a fight for survival between Team Liquid and paiN Gaming. In the best-of-three match, the winner will gain a miracle lifeline, and the loser will say goodbye to their chances at making it to Worlds Knockouts.
Both TL and PNG were in a precarious position by Round 5, having 0-2 match records. The match determined who gets to stay alive for longer and who gets booted out of the Swiss. After the high-stakes series, Team Liquid eventually emerged victorious, beating the CBLOL team 2-0.
Breaking Down the Bo3
Game 1 started relatively calm, but it was only before the storm of Team Liquid’s eventual dominance. The team soon gained the upper hand, with Yeon’s Kai’Sa having seemed to grow unkillable by the second. Thanks to TitaN’s Ezreal, PNG managed to steal a drake and fight back for a while longer. Yet, with TL’s overall map control and teamfighting prowess, it became clear that they’ll take their eventual win.
In the second game, both teams were fighting on a balanced scale; they were trading blows and were only getting slightly ahead of the other in the early game. Team Liquid’s draft proved superior, though, and coupled with their execution secured them the win. Tables were turned as the team stole a drake with their own Ezreal ultimate, and APA’s Neeko proved to be a formidable force for paiN Gaming. With TL’s consistent performance from mid to late game, they sealed the series 2-0 and claimed a well-earned victory.
The Ebb and Flow: Team Liquid’s Strengths and Weaknesses
Team Liquid is one of North America’s best teams, with their consistency and excellent plays making them a dominant force in the scene. Yet, even with high hopes as they entered this year’s Worlds, the team soon found themselves in a bind after drawing two LPL giants, LNG and Weibo Gaming for their first matchups. Even their strongest strategies were outclassed, and their weaknesses were effectively exploited.
In their game against paiN Gaming, though, the NA team had the chance to truly let their abilities shine. Throughout their Swiss Stage run so far, across all the teams they played, Team Liquid showed strengths and weaknesses that may determine their chances at the Knockout Stage
Strong Points
- Macro play: Liquid have good strategies that bloom in the mid to late game. When they start gaining an advantage, they are not afraid to double down on it, securing objectives and controlling the map until they finally get the win.
- Adaptability: Adjusting their playstyle when necessary is not so hard of a thing to do for the team. They are also capable of flexibility in the drafting phase, allowing them to figure out how to best counter their opponents.
- Experience: TL feature seasoned players in their roster, allowing them to handle high-pressure situations with calm tactics and mature thinking. This level of experience is crucial in high-stakes matches, as even the slightest misplay may cost teams a great deal.
Weak Areas
- Early game performance: Team Liquid tend to struggle in the first minutes of their matches, allowing their opponents a chance to set the tone of the whole game. While they later excel in the second half, it might be too late by then.
- Consistency: While a strong point for them in the LCS, Team Liquid have been having somewhat erratic plays in the Swiss Stage of Worlds 2024. This drop in their consistency may lower their chances of getting to the Knockouts.
- Objective control: In their earlier games, Liquid have had difficulties in securing the dragons and the Baron, affecting their gameplay. The team’s teamfighting prowess has been inconsistent as well—not helpful in fighting for these objectives.
If Team Liquid can capitalize on their strengths and address their weaknesses as soon as possible, they may just have a bright future in the upcoming Swiss rounds. Their next match is against GAM Esports from Vietnam on October 12. Can Liquid quickly prepare and keep up their winning streak, or are they bound to face the same fate as the team they eliminated?
Can Team Liquid Make It?
Team Liquid’s recent victory has shown that they still have what it takes to get through more rounds in the Swiss Stage and win. They have finally displayed their prowess and had its sweet pay-off. Now, Liquid is about to face another do-or-die match, a true test of resilience and skill that can get them a step closer to the Knockouts, or force them into a bitter goodbye.
Team Liquid stands as North America’s last hope in Worlds 2024. Can they rise to the occasion and secure their spot in the Knockout Stage? The question is still met with a vague answer. If TL maintains their strong macro play and fixes their early game issues, however, they might just be on the verge of a comeback story.