Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CSGO) has had numerous memorable and influential matches throughout its history.
While it’s challenging to narrow it down to just a few, here are some of the most famous matches in CS:GO history:
Fnatic vs. LDLC – DreamHack Winter 2014 Grand Finals:
- This match is often regarded as one of the greatest comebacks in CSGO history. Fnatic and LDLC clashed in the grand finals, where Fnatic found themselves down 13-3 on the final map, Overpass. Against all odds, Fnatic staged a remarkable comeback to win the map 16-13, securing the championship.
Virtus.pro vs. Fnatic – ESL One Katowice 2015 Grand Finals:
- The grand finals of ESL One Katowice 2015 featured two powerhouse teams, Virtus.pro and Fnatic. The match went into three maps, with each one delivering intense and nail-biting moments. Virtus.pro ultimately emerged as the champions, winning the series 2-1 and becoming the first Polish team to win a major CSGO tournament.
Luminosity Gaming vs. Team Liquid – MLG Columbus 2016 Grand Finals:
- MLG Columbus 2016 marked the first-ever major victory for a Brazilian team. Luminosity Gaming (now known as SK Gaming) faced off against Team Liquid in an exhilarating grand finals. The series went to the maximum five maps, with Luminosity Gaming prevailing in the end to secure their historic win.
SK Gaming vs. Virtus.pro – ELEAGUE Major Atlanta 2017 Grand Finals:
- The grand finals of the ELEAGUE Major Atlanta 2017 featured SK Gaming and Virtus.pro in an epic battle. The series went to all three maps, with intense action and incredible individual performances. SK Gaming emerged as the champions, solidifying their place as one of the dominant teams in CSGO.
Astralis vs. Team Liquid – Intel Grand Slam Season 2 Finals:
- The Intel Grand Slam Season 2 Finals saw two of the top teams, Astralis and Team Liquid, competing for the prestigious title. The best-of-five series went down to the wire, with both teams delivering exceptional gameplay. Astralis came out on top, winning the series 3-2 and becoming the first team to secure the Intel Grand Slam.
These matches represent just a fraction of the countless thrilling encounters in CSGO’s rich history. The game continues to produce epic battles that captivate audiences and leave a lasting impact on the esports community.
Fnatic vs. LDLC – DreamHack Winter 2014 Grand Finals
The grand finals of DreamHack Winter 2014 between Fnatic and LDLC is undoubtedly one of the most famous and iconic matches in CSGO history. This match is remembered for an incredible boost play by Fnatic that generated controversy and became a talking point among the community.
The match took place on the map Overpass, the decider map of the series. LDLC started the game strong, taking a commanding lead of 12-3 in the first half. It seemed like LDLC was on the verge of securing the championship. However, what followed was an extraordinary turn of events.
In the second half, Fnatic found themselves trailing 13-3, with LDLC needing only three more rounds to win the tournament. But Fnatic decided to employ an unorthodox boost strategy that involved boosting a player onto a ledge near the B bombsite, granting an advantageous and unexpected vantage point.
The boost spot allowed Fnatic to gain a significant advantage in terms of information and control over the map. It caught LDLC off guard, as they were unable to counter the strategy effectively. Fnatic won round after round, eventually tying the score at 13-13 and then securing the victory with a final score of 16-13.
The boost play sparked heated discussions and debates within the CSGO community, as many questioned its legitimacy and whether it violated the fair play principles. The tournament organizers, DreamHack, later decided to invalidate the result and replay the entire map, which Fnatic ultimately won again, albeit in a less dramatic fashion.
Regardless of the controversy, the Fnatic vs. LDLC match at DreamHack Winter 2014 remains an iconic moment in CSGO history. It showcased the innovative and strategic nature of the game, as well as the impact that a single play can have on the outcome of a match.
Virtus.pro vs. Fnatic – ESL One Katowice 2015 Grand Finals
The grand finals of ESL One Katowice 2015 between Virtus.pro and Fnatic is another legendary match in CSGO history. This intense showdown between two powerhouse teams captivated fans and showcased high-level gameplay throughout the series.
The match took place in Katowice, Poland, and featured a best-of-three format. Virtus.pro, the hometown favorites, faced off against Fnatic, a dominant Swedish team. The series went the distance, with all three maps delivering thrilling moments and showcasing the skill of both teams.
The first map was on Inferno, and it set the tone for an incredibly close series. Virtus.pro secured a narrow victory with a score of 16-14, taking an early lead in the finals. Fnatic didn’t let that setback discourage them and fought back fiercely.
The second map, Cobblestone, witnessed a dominant performance from Fnatic. They showcased their individual skills and teamwork, securing a resounding victory with a score of 16-7. This leveled the series, setting the stage for a tense decider map.
The final map was played on Overpass, and it turned out to be an absolute nail-biter. The two teams engaged in a back-and-forth battle, exchanging rounds and displaying incredible strategies and clutch plays. The crowd in Katowice was on the edge of their seats throughout the intense match.
Ultimately, Fnatic emerged victorious with a score of 16-13 on Overpass, clinching the grand finals and becoming the champions of ESL One Katowice 2015. The win solidified Fnatic’s status as one of the best teams in the world and cemented their place in CSGO history.
The Virtus.pro vs. Fnatic match at ESL One Katowice 2015 is remembered as a thrilling and closely contested series that showcased the competitive spirit and skill of both teams. It stands as a testament to the excitement and drama that CSGO can generate, making it an unforgettable moment for fans and players alike.
Luminosity Gaming vs. Team Liquid – MLG Columbus 2016 Grand Finals
The grand finals of MLG Columbus 2016 between Luminosity Gaming (now known as SK Gaming) and Team Liquid is one of the most iconic and historic matches in CSGO history. This intense showdown not only featured top-tier gameplay but also marked a significant milestone for Brazilian esports.
The match took place at the MLG Arena in Columbus, Ohio, and it was the first-ever major championship to be held in North America. Luminosity Gaming, a Brazilian team, faced off against Team Liquid, a North American squad, in a best-of-three series.
The first map was played on Cobblestone, and it showcased the skill and determination of both teams. Luminosity Gaming managed to edge out a victory with a score of 16-13, putting themselves in the lead. However, Team Liquid wasn’t going down without a fight.
The second map, Overpass, witnessed a fantastic performance from Team Liquid. They displayed incredible teamwork and individual plays, securing a dominant win with a score of 16-6. This tied up the series, setting the stage for a tense final map.
The third and deciding map was played on Train, and it became an absolute thriller. Luminosity Gaming and Team Liquid battled it out round after round, with neither team giving an inch. The crowd was electrified by the intense gameplay and clutch moments.
In the end, Luminosity Gaming managed to secure a narrow victory with a score of 16-13 on Train. This hard-fought win made Luminosity Gaming the first-ever Brazilian team to win a major championship in CSGO.
The Luminosity Gaming vs. Team Liquid match at MLG Columbus 2016 was a watershed moment for Brazilian esports. It showcased the skill and potential of the Brazilian scene and put them on the global CSGO map. The victory paved the way for the rise of Brazilian dominance in the following years, as teams like SK Gaming and later MIBR continued to make a significant impact in the CSGO competitive scene.
The match is remembered for its intense gameplay, historic significance, and the celebration of Luminosity Gaming’s breakthrough triumph. It remains a memorable and cherished moment in CSGO history.
SK Gaming vs. Virtus.pro – ELEAGUE Major Atlanta 2017 Grand Finals
The grand finals of the ELEAGUE Major Atlanta 2017 between SK Gaming and Virtus.pro is widely regarded as one of the greatest matches in CSGO history. This epic showdown featured two legendary teams battling it out in a high-stakes clash for the championship title.
The match took place at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta, Georgia, and showcased intense gameplay across three maps. SK Gaming, a Brazilian powerhouse, faced off against Virtus.pro, a highly respected Polish team. The series provided spectators with thrilling moments and showcased the skill, teamwork, and resilience of both squads.
The first map was played on Train, and it set the stage for an intense battle. Virtus.pro showcased their prowess, securing a victory with a score of 16-13. However, SK Gaming responded swiftly on the second map, Cache, with a dominant performance. They secured a resounding win with a score of 16-6, leveling the series at 1-1.
The grand finals went down to the third and final map, Cobblestone, where the teams fought tooth and nail for every round. It was a grueling back-and-forth contest, with both teams delivering exceptional gameplay. The match reached its climax with a thrilling double-overtime, as the tension escalated to its peak.
Ultimately, SK Gaming emerged as the champions, securing a hard-fought victory on Cobblestone with a score of 22-20. Their victory at the ELEAGUE Major Atlanta 2017 marked their second major championship title, cementing their status as one of the greatest teams in CSGO history.
The SK Gaming vs. Virtus.pro match at the ELEAGUE Major Atlanta 2017 is remembered for its incredible display of skill, determination, and clutch plays. The intense rivalry between the two teams, combined with the high stakes of the major championship, created an unforgettable showdown that captivated fans worldwide.
Astralis vs. Team Liquid – Intel Grand Slam Season 2 Finals
The Intel Grand Slam Season 2 Finals match between Astralis and Team Liquid was a highly anticipated and fiercely contested showdown in CSGO history. This clash of titans took place as the culmination of the Intel Grand Slam, a prestigious tournament circuit that spanned multiple events.
The match was played in a best-of-five format, with both teams vying for the coveted Intel Grand Slam title. Astralis, a Danish powerhouse and one of the most dominant teams in CSGO, faced off against Team Liquid, a talented North American squad that had been consistently performing at a high level.
The series witnessed incredible gameplay across all five maps, with each team showcasing their tactical prowess, individual skill, and resilience. Both Astralis and Team Liquid delivered exceptional performances, resulting in a fiercely contested and closely fought battle.
The first map was played on Overpass, with Astralis securing a hard-fought victory with a score of 16-14. However, Team Liquid quickly responded on the second map, Inferno, by delivering a dominating performance and winning with a score of 16-6, tying up the series.
The third map, Mirage, was a highly intense affair, with both teams exchanging blows and executing impressive strategies. In a nail-biting conclusion, Astralis emerged victorious with a score of 16-14, putting themselves one map away from claiming the title.
Team Liquid refused to back down, and on the fourth map, Nuke, they displayed exceptional teamwork and individual skill. They secured a convincing win with a score of 16-10, forcing the series into a deciding fifth map.
The fifth and final map, Dust II, turned out to be an epic battle. Astralis and Team Liquid fought tooth and nail, with the game going into double overtime due to the incredible resilience and determination of both teams. In the end, Astralis narrowly triumphed with a score of 22-20, clinching the series and securing the Intel Grand Slam Season 2 title.
The Astralis vs. Team Liquid match in the Intel Grand Slam Season 2 Finals showcased the highest level of competition in CSGO. It was a thrilling back-and-forth affair that highlighted the skill, strategy, and mental fortitude of both teams. The series is remembered as a testament to the intensity and excitement that CS GO can generate, leaving a lasting impression on fans and players alike.
