The Brazilian squad has secured consecutive top-16 finishes at Majors, continuing their strong international presence.
With nqz delivering standout performances, particularly on Inferno, paiN claimed victory over FlyQuest in a 2-0 series, winning on Vertigo (16-14) and Inferno (13-6). This win earned them a place in the next phase of the Perfect World Shanghai Major.
Although paiN entered the tournament as one of the favorite to progress, their journey to the Elimination Stage could have been smoother. They had to recover from an earlier BO1 defeat to GamerLegion and scrape through a narrow 13-11 victory against Cloud9.
The challenges persisted in their matchup against FlyQuest, especially on Vertigo, where the Australian team pushed the map into overtime. The game was a gritty contest, with both sides showcasing solid Counter-Strike skills. However, paiN’s strategic depth ultimately helped them prevail on their chosen map.
On Inferno, Lucas “nqz” Soares set the tone with an unforgettable USP ace to open the map. Despite struggling initially on their CT side, particularly with rotations and defending the B site, nqz stepped up again. His consistent impact with the AWP, particularly in back-to-back rounds holding Brackets, was instrumental in helping paiN gain control and finish the half with a lead.
With this win, paiN has ensured its progression and further solidified its reputation on the global stage at the Shanghai Major.
