Weibo Gaming upsets LNG Esports to reach Worlds 2024 Semifinals
Weibo Gaming have done it again, this time defeating LNG Esports in the Quarterfinals at Worlds 2024.
After narrowly escaping the Swiss Stage at Worlds following their dramatic last ditch victory against Dplus KIA, Weibo continue to defy expectations on the international stage.
Weibo Gaming shock LNG
Despite LNG coming into their Quarterfinals match against Weibo as the clear favorite after their 3-0 run across the Swiss Stage, Weibo shocked their LPL rivals by securing a 3-1 victory off the back of far superior preparation and draft strategies.
During the series, Breathe continued his domination on Gnar, extending his record on the pick at Worlds 2024 to 6-0.
Ultimately, LNG had no answers to Weibo's superior compositions across the series. Though LNG fought hard until the very end, Weibo was clearly the better team on the day as they secured their way to the Semifinals at Worlds 2024.
Like at last year's event, Weibo's fighting spirit is taking the team further than anyone could have predicted at Worlds 2024. Following their 1-2 start to the Swiss Stage, Weibo have now won their last three consecutive series, and continue to grow stronger by the minute.
When asked about his team's chances of lifting the Worlds 2024 trophy after the series versus LNG, Weibo Gaming's top laner Breathe answered with confidence:
"Personally, I think we have a better chance of winning the Championship this year. And now, I think our team has improved a lot in terms of our team synergy and the way we trust each other. And I think both individual performance and our team's form has been ramping up so far."
Xiaohu - The gift that keeps on giving
Though much of the attention was on Breathe's Gnar, and deservedly so, there is one player that shone even brighter during Weibo's surprising win over LNG. And that player is none other than veteran mid laner Xiaohu.
Debuting in the LPL nearly a decade ago, Xiaohu never stopped competing and continues to make China proud even to this day. And though he's been around for a long time, even lifting three MSI trophies during his long tenure with RNG, Xiaohu has never been able to claim a Worlds title.
Certainly not for a lack of trying, however. With his team's 3-1 win over LNG, Xiaohu has now become the player with the 2nd most wins at Worlds all-time, behind only Faker himself.
The closest Xiaohu got to winning Worlds came during last year's tournament, where he took Weibo all the way to the Grand Finals of the biggest tournament in a remarkable Cinderella story. In the end, the only player to stand between himself and Worlds 2023 trophy was, you guessed it, Faker.
Now, Xiaohu and Weibo continue to defy expectations and stand one series away from reaching the Finals at Worlds for the second consecutive year.
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Image source: Colin Young-Wolff/Riot Games
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