Fnatic secure VCT LOCK//IN win

Fnatic remained unbeaten at the VCT LOCK//IN to comeback against home team LOUD in the grand finals and clinch the trophy in São Paulo, Brazil.

Fnatic seemed all but out of the final but managed to put up a comeback for the ages to break the title drought that had extended to over two years. 

The action got underway on Ascent, which had slowly become a fortress for the Brazilian team, LOUD. Fnatic, though, started strongly and took the opening map 13-8 to stun both LOUD and the home crowd.

The second map was Fnatic’s pick of Fracture. The first half ended with nothing between the teams, at 6-6. Fnatic, though, dominated the second half to take Fracture 13-7 and take a 2-0 lead in the Grand Finals. 

The third map was Spilt. It was neck-and-neck here as well, but LOUD’s aspas stepped up to help them take the second map 13-9 and bring the Brazilians right back into the grand finals.

LOUD dominated their pick of Lotus as well to secure the map 13-8 and tie the series 2-2, with Less stepping up for them.

The decider was played on Icebox, and it seemed all but over for Fnatic as the first half ended 9-3 and LOUD then took an early 11-3 lead in the second half to be inches away from securing the map and series. It seemed like the Brazilian team would be securing back-to-back titles.

Fnatic, though, weren’t ready to throw in the towel and fought back heroically, with their youngster Aflajer putting in a crucial clutch to help Fnatic take nine rounds in a row, resulting in a stunning win. They had to wait just a bit longer, however, as LOUD managed to take the game to overtime, but it was Derke who made sure there was no more delaying the inevitable and helped Fnatic clinch the title after a 14-12 in the final map.

The MVP award went to Leo, who put in a stellar performance in the final.

The win saw Fnatic secure the long-awaited trophy, a US$100,000 prize, and also a spot for the EMEA at the VALORANT Masters Tokyo.

For Fnatic’s Chronicle, the win was even sweeter as he became the first-ever VALORANT player to win two different international VCT trophies, having won the Master Berlin in 2021 with Gambit.