VCTCN: Intense Five-Map Battle to Prevent a Comeback! AG Defeats XLG 3-2 to Advance to the Santiago Masters

In the 2026 VCTCN Kickoff Winner’s Final, AG prevented a comeback to win 3-2 over XLG, earning the first VCTCN slot for the Santiago Masters and becoming the first team from the global four major leagues to advance to the Masters.

Image 1: Deep Sea Pearl

Defenders AG: Phantom, Yelu, Xingke, Qile, Heimeng

Attackers XLG: Xingke, Qile, Heimeng, Phantom, Yelu

AG opened the first half with four straight wins. In round 5, XLG faked left and attacked B through mid, breaking AG’s defense to claim the round.

In round 7, Lysoar Qile used his ultimate to push A; AG waited for Qile’s ultimate to end, then rotated back and won the duel.

In round 9, Shr1mp held the B site line, securing a triple kill clearing XLG outside the site. F4ngeer showed great instinct by catching the flanking Rarga and later eliminated WsLeo in the clutch.

AG’s preparation and in-game adjustments were flawless; the commander perfectly anticipated XLG’s attacks. AG recorded a four-win streak and a six-win streak in the first half, scoring 11 points while XLG only earned 1.

In the second half, Rarga showed bold skill by single-handedly taking down four AG players at B. Then happywei stepped up with a four-kill round followed by an ACE, allowing XLG to close the gap by four rounds.

In round 17, Au1 won the clutch with a triple kill, giving AG match point. In round 18, AG used two ultimates at A to successfully plant the spike, wiping out XLG’s retake and winning Deep Sea Pearl 13-5.

Image 2: Neon Town

Defenders XLG: Viper, Phantom, Heimeng, Phantom, Yelu

Attackers AG: Skye, Viper, Raz, Phantom, Phantom

AG won the pistol round in the first half. In round 3, after XLG’s bonus round, AG infiltrated mid to A second floor, where K1ra secured a triple kill to win XLG’s bonus round.

Round 4 was an eco for XLG; controlling mid, Rarga on B second floor with Heroic Sentinel stopped AG’s attack, allowing XLG to complete a comeback and get their first point.

XLG scored three consecutive points. In round 7, AG played slow and strategic, but XLG executed a pincer attack, exchanging players continuously. In the final clutch, Au1 eliminated Lysoar to win the round.

In round 8, NoMan took out a lone attacker, and Lysoar exploded with a triple kill defending B, helping the team hold the site.

NoMan gathered a lot of intel early in the first half, creating many opportunities for XLG. XLG went on a three-win streak followed by five more points, leading 4-0 at halftime.

In the second half, XLG won the pistol round. In round 16, XLG forced a B rush, where f4ngeer secured a triple kill with a well-placed trap.

In round 17, XLG executed a perfect utility push into the site, but NoMan failed to immediately eliminate the planter, allowing AG to delay and successfully retake.

In round 19, AG’s retake lost duels to Rarga’s two consecutive kills. However, in the next three rounds, K1ra exploded, stopping XLG’s attack firmly, and AG caught up to tie 11-11.

In round 23, an eco round for XLG, AG held B second floor and retook A point, eliminating all XLG players.

In the match point round 24, AG defended A point, winning a 2v1 clutch. Despite trailing in the second half, K1ra’s continuous impact led AG to win five straight rounds and claim Neon Town 13-11.

Image 3: Industrial Stronghold

Defenders AG: Heimeng, Viper, Raz, Yelu, Purgatory

Attackers XLG: Viper, Purgatory, Heimeng, Phantom, Yelu

XLG started the first half strong, led by WsLeo and NoMan, with a six-win streak.

In round 7, AG successfully delayed XLG’s spike plant time. Although AG won the round, many guns were lost to XLG.

In round 8, AG’s retake of A point failed; XLG remained steady in clutch situations and continued to score.

In round 10, Au1 pulled off a 1v2 retake at A point, securing AG’s second point.

XLG led early, but Au1 exploded in the last rounds of the first half, leading AG to win four consecutive rounds. Half-time score was XLG 8-4 AG.

In the second half, happywei led the pistol round win. In round 15, f4ngeer secured a triple kill clearing A site, and happywei’s 1v2 retake with high game sense found and eliminated f4ngeer’s position.

Although f4ngeer and grq performed well in the second half with three consecutive rounds, AG’s large deficit and failed clutches led to a final 13-7 victory for XLG at Industrial Stronghold.

Image 4: Shadowy Cavern

Defenders AG: Hunter, Exterminator, Xingke, Yelu, Phantom

Attackers XLG: Xingke, Phantom, Hunter, Phantom, Yelu

AG won the pistol round in the first half. In round 3, Rarga exploded with a four-kill round, leading the team to win the bonus round.

In round 4, WsLeo cut off AG’s retake from mid, eliminating two players; AG’s 3v4 retake failed, and Shr1mp chose to save the sniper.

In round 6, grq and Shr1mp’s two-man retake defeated happywei and WsLeo; Shr1mp’s four-kill round stabilized the situation.

The score stayed tight. AG defended B in round 9 to take the lead. In round 10, f4ngeer and Shr1mp’s retake lost duels to Lysoar. Half-time score was XLG 7, AG 5.

In the second half, XLG won the pistol round. In round 15, f4ngeer’s fluid movement at B led to a triple kill.

In round 16, AG’s attack on B failed; AG only scored one bonus point in the second half. XLG dominated the match, with Lysoar excelling in clutches, winning Shadowy Cavern 13-6.

Image 5: Hidden Sanctuary

Defenders AG: Hunter, Zero, Phantom, Yelu, Phantom

Attackers XLG: Viper, Phantom, Hunter, Qile, Neon

XLG won the pistol round in the first half. In round 3, K1ra’s retake eliminated Lysoar and defused the spike just in time.

In round 4, XLG lost three players early; only WsLeo and Lysoar survived to save their weapons.

XLG scored four consecutive points. In round 9, XLG rushed C garage; despite AG’s inferior weapons, they held off XLG’s attack on C, turning the round around.

In round 10, AG’s early push missed timing and was countered by XLG. In round 12, Au1’s three-kill retake narrowed the gap.

XLG took the lead early in the first half, but AG gradually reduced the deficit to two points.

In the second half, Rarga Neon quickly rotated to defend and eliminated four players, helping XLG win the pistol round.

In round 15, XLG took control of A site; happywei got a triple kill and, alongside NoMan, anticipated AG’s rotation, securing XLG’s bonus round.

XLG won three rounds in a row in the second half. In round 16, AG saved weapons but rushed B quickly, gaining a numbers advantage and pulling off a thrilling comeback.

K1ra’s continuous impact led AG to tie the score at 10-10. In round 21, after K1ra was first killed, AG struggled without smokes to enter the site, forced a double fake push, but Rarga’s trap stopped them; Au1 and Shr1mp held a 2v4 retake to secure the round for XLG.

AG won eight straight rounds to claim victory at Hidden Sanctuary. AG denied a reverse sweep and defeated XLG, securing their ticket to the Santiago Masters.