Forgot password
Enter the email address you used when you joined and we'll send you instructions to reset your password.
If you used Apple or Google to create your account, this process will create a password for your existing account.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Reset password instructions sent. If you have an account with us, you will receive an email within a few minutes.
Something went wrong. Try again or contact support if the problem persists.
Image grabbed from The Guard

The Guard sweep Cloud9 at NA VCT Last Chance Qualifier

The team awaits 100 Thieves or FaZe Clan.

The Guard shut down Cloud9’s win streak today, sending them to the lower bracket at the VALORANT Champions Tour North American Last Chance Qualifier. 

Recommended Videos

Since winning Challengers One, The Guard has struggled to find themselves as a team. They lost both their series at Masters Reykjavík, and went 1-4 during the group stage qualifiers of Masters Berlin. But since returning from the break, The Guard has been on an upward trajectory, especially after a win against Sentinels during the opening round of the LCQ. 

C9 fought their way through Shopify Rebellion to get to their match-up against The Guard, a team who had previously beaten them during Challengers One. With the hopes of taking an early advantage, C9 chose Fracture as the first map of the series. The map advantage worked during the first half while C9 was on defense, but The Guard clawed their way back from a two-round deficit to win the map 13-9. The teams were close in score across the board, but valyn was the standout player for his team on Brimstone with a 1.42 K/D and an average damage per round of 146. 

The Guard chose Ascent for the second map, and seemingly had the upper hand after the first half concluded. However, with C9 on the attacking side, they began to catch up to The Guard despite playing into neT’s Killjoy. With the map tied at 11 rounds apiece and C9 seemingly cruising to map point, The Guard pulled out a massive thrifty round, giving The Guard a heavy advantage and match point.

With no money, Cloud9 could do nothing in the following round, falling 13-11 on Ascent. Sayaplayer’s Jett earned him the MVP for map two with an ADR of 153 and a 1.25 KD.

The Guard continue to look more and more like the team that captured the attention of North America during VCT Stage One, and will look to extend their run in the upper bracket against the winner of FaZe Clan and 100 Thieves next weekend. If C9 want to qualify for Istanbul, they’ll have to do it via the lower bracket.


Dot Esports is supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission. Learn more about our Affiliate Policy
Author
Image of Danny Appleford
Danny Appleford
A college student writing about all things gaming.