The VALORANT Champions Shanghai lower bracket has claimed another big name. G2 Esports knocked out T1 2-1 on Sunday and now sit in the top four, with a rematch against 100 Thieves already on the calendar. For a bracket that has produced upset after upset, the result fits the pattern, yet it also leaves T1 and their veteran core with an uncertain future.
G2 survive a three-map fight
T1 arrived in the lower round with real momentum. Only days earlier they had come back from a map deficit to eliminate Paper Rex, and that run made them a popular pick among neutral viewers. G2 did not allow a repeat. Over three maps they edged T1 2-1, ending the Korean side’s tournament and moving into the lower round three clash with 100 Thieves.
The path matters for G2. They started the playoffs with a clean 2-0 over 100 Thieves in the upper quarterfinal, then lost 0-2 to Vitality in the upper semifinal. Since dropping into the lower bracket they have had to win elimination games back to back, and each series has tested their depth and map pool. Reaching the top four from there is a credible sign of resilience rather than a lucky run.
Munchkin hints at retirement
The human side of the story came right after the final map. T1 player Munchkin suggested he may retire following the elimination, according to reports from Dot Esports. Nothing is official, and a hint after a painful loss is not a decision, but it adds weight to an already emotional exit. T1 had pushed through the playoffs with two three-map wins, and the team can leave Shanghai knowing it was a single series away from a deeper run.
What comes next
The schedule is now clear. Vitality face LOUD in the upper final, while 100 Thieves and G2 meet again in lower round three. Whoever advances from that rematch moves toward the lower final, followed by the grand final at the end of the tournament. 100 Thieves reached this point by beating Nongshim RedForce 2-1 and NRG 2-0, so they enter the rematch with confidence. G2 hold the earlier head-to-head result from the upper bracket, which makes this a genuine toss-up on paper.
For anyone following the matches with an eye on the odds, rematches inside a double-elimination bracket are worth watching closely. Teams that already know each other’s habits tend to adjust faster, and a single veto can swing a series. If you want to compare how different esports bookmakers price a matchup like this, check market depth and map-level lines before you decide, and always keep stakes within a budget you are comfortable with.
The bigger picture
Champions Shanghai runs until October 18, and the second half of the bracket is shaping up to be the most competitive stretch yet. Vitality and LOUD have looked the steadiest from the upper side, while the lower bracket survivors have the advantage of match fitness and the disadvantage of fatigue. With roster moves already piling up behind the scenes, this event is also doubling as an audition for the 2027 season. Expect more headlines as soon as the final trophy is lifted.
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