M80 have extended their run at BLAST Open Lisbon after outlasting FURIA in a tense three-map showdown, ultimately claiming victory in a grueling double-overtime battle on Inferno. The win keeps the North American squad’s hopes of securing a direct invite to the BLAST.tv Austin Major alive, while simultaneously sending the Brazilian team home with a disappointing last-place finish in Group B.
FURIA came into their elimination match on shaky footing, having fallen to Natus Vincere in their opening contest without securing a map. Though they showed moments of promise in that match, Gabriel “FalleN” Toledo’s team couldn’t maintain any consistent momentum and failed to rebound in time for their do-or-die series against M80.
After dropping the opening map and rallying to tie the series, the Brazilians were unable to close out the decider on Inferno. M80 held firm in the face of pressure, particularly during overtime, where Elias “s1n” Stein made key plays that ultimately tipped the scales. With their backs against the wall, the North American team delivered when it mattered most, preserving their tournament run and staying in contention for a Major invite.
From a regional ranking perspective, M80 entered the Lisbon event in sixth place across the Americas. With only a narrow window of time left before the cutoff date of April 7, they needed to gain ground on Wildcard, who currently hold the fifth and final auto-invite slot for the Major. The Lisbon win over FURIA narrows that gap, but the road ahead remains tough.
M80 will next face either G2 or Eternal Fire—two formidable opponents—in what will likely be another high-stakes affair. The result of that series will directly impact their chances of skipping the Americas Regional Qualifier and heading straight to Austin. After Lisbon, only one more opportunity remains for M80 and Wildcard to gather points: the PGL Astana NA closed qualifier.
For FURIA, the defeat adds to what has been a rocky start to 2025. After underperforming in ESL Pro League Season 21 with just one win across four matches, the Brazilians find themselves once again unable to notch a victory against top-tier opposition. Their form continues to raise concerns about the direction of the roster, which has yet to deliver meaningful results this season.
FalleN acknowledged these struggles in a post-match interview, reflecting on the team’s need for further analysis and preparation. With their next steps likely involving a return to Malta for an extended bootcamp, FURIA will look to recalibrate and identify the root of their ongoing issues. The captain emphasized the importance of reflection and learning from these experiences, recognizing that they are not yet in a position to compete for titles and must use each tournament as a stepping stone toward future improvement.
As M80 march on with renewed confidence, FURIA are left to regroup and reassess, hoping to turn the page on a difficult chapter and regain their footing before the Major cycle advances without them.
