The 2024 World Championship is reminding everyone again why the LCK is still the apex predator when it comes to competitive gaming. Another day of intense battles has been seen; however, one match stands out like a supernova in the night sky: Hanwha Life Esports (HLE) vs G2 Esports. Buckle up, summoners because this was less of a game and more of a masterclass in Korean dominance.
Match Overview
Group Stage Worlds 2024 saw the much-anticipated encounter between HLE and G2 on October 4, 2024. Expectations were high from both teams in the tournament, however, HLE managed to come out on top in this one-sided affair, as game times came under 49 minutes.
Key Players and Strategies
Hanwha Life Esports
HLE were very aggressive in the early game, using all the power of their champions to conquer the map.
- Doran (Jax)
- Peanut (Sejuani)
- Zeka (Smolder)
- Viper (Ashe)
- Delight (Poppy)
G2 Esports
G2 approached the game rather carefully, preferring good timing with their engages and playing on their scaling potential.
- BrokenBlade (Poppy)
- Yike (Lillia)
- Caps (Yone)
- Hans Sama (Varus)
- Mikyx (Braum)
Match Highlights
At 29 minutes into the game, both teams met in the mid-lane for a 5v5. The clash erupted as G2 tried to take leverage on plays earned earlier, but HLE matched them blow by blow. It turned into a heated exchange as neither had any intentions of falling back and both sides ended down to three.
After the clash between them in the middle lane, G2 took the lead and went on the attack on HLE’s turrets. Their coordination showed their intent to win, attacking structures and trying to take control of HLE’s territory, eventually getting the lead in terms of gold count.
As the game clocks to 37:30, Caps was seen in an aggressive push down a lane as Doran desperately tried his best to defend against him. At the same time, the four members of HLE were trying hard to get Baron Nashor. A lucky twist was given by Yike in G2 as he pulled off a steal for Baron Nashor right before the HLE members were about to claim it. This backhand surprised G2 right back to life and briefly restored the tide back in their favor.
As the game went down in its final stages, Caps went into a tight spot following a successful destruction of the inhibitor turret in the bottom lane. Doran was right behind him, and it seemed like he was going to give it everything to cut out their greatest threat. On the other side of the map, an intense 4v4 fight was held between G2 and HLE. In that fierce exchange, HLE managed to get away with three kills. However, it was the turn of the tide as Caps was caught out in the mid lane by HLE forces. With Caps down, G2 was reeling as Yike stood alone as the last man to their base.
In a last desperate stand, Yike was facing a 5v1 in G2’s base. Though he tried to hold back HLE’s relentless assault, it was clear that G2’s defenses were crumbling as they successfully broke through G2’s Nexus and thus HLE won the match.
Conclusion
The LCK domination is far from over, as HLE’s decisive win over G2 rings into the halls of LoL esports in a statement. Other regions can scramble to close that gap while Korea can simply raise the bar. One thing’s sure, though: the way to the Summoner’s Cup passes through Korea, and it is strewn with the shattered remains of all those who dared rise up to challenge the kings of the Rift.
