The second elimination match of Valorant Champions 2026 is over, as Nongshim RedForce Nongshim RedForce Korea Rank #1 WoohyuN Moon Woo-hyun (문우현) Xross Jeonghwan (정환) Rb Goo Sang-min (구상민) Francis Kim Mu-bin (김무빈) Dambi Lee Hyuk-kyu (이혁규) Ivy Park Sung-hyeon (박성현) defeated Xi Lai Gaming Xi Lai Gaming China Rank #3 WsLeo Huang Pinwei (黄品维) Sharks Qiu Ge (邱戈) Lysoar Liang Youhao (梁优好) NoMan James Man Rarga Arthur Churyumov happywei Deng Minwei (邓闵维) 2-0. This marks the second Chinese team eliminated in their home country, echoing the regional struggles from Masters Shanghai.

Summit began with both teams running Sage Chamber double-Sentinel compositions, but Nongshim opted for the Harbor variation. Rarga shot three down to take the pistol and closed out the bonus to put XLG in an ideal start. As the economy came back around for Nongshim, Rb started to slow XLG down with both utility and aim, pulling XLG to four straight round wins and a 4-4 tie.

XLG nearly lost the lead, but Lysoar had back-to-back star rounds with a 2v3 post-plant win and a 4K to convert a round with little time left. Thanks to some clutch rounds from their Omen, XLG entered the half up 7-5.

The fattest Saturate of all time awarded XLG the second pistol win on Summit, and even a bonus round loss didn't knock the Chinese fourth seed's confidence. Both happywei and NoMan looked comfortable in the XLG retakes, reaching a 10-6 lead.

happywei and NoMan secure a retake over Nongshim Redforce.

Rb continued to save rounds for Nongshim with both his strats and aim, and Ivy started to heat up as the map reached both a 10-10 and an 11-11 tie. Dambi finally started to shine on his signature Neon, pushing Nongshim to a 13-11 map win and the series lead.

Sunset had to be a series comeback for XLG to stay alive, and the team opted for a double-Duelist with NoMan and Rarga. Both teams ran Waylay and Yoru mirror compositions, but XLG once again took the first pistol round. NoMan was able to perform his staple 3K celebration on the antieco, and XLG very nearly converted the bonus as well. Instead, Nongshim earned their first round win on Sunset, but it was costly.

Soon after, happywei punished an eco round from Nongshim to further extend the lead. XLG looked fully in control on the attack, yet Nongshim used all their ultimates in a group of rounds and successfully stabilized the half. Both teams entered the half at a 6-6 tie, with Nongshim moving to the attack.

For the first time in the series, Nongshim earned the pistol round win, taking a second half lead. That lead lasted only a moment, as Rarga earned an eco ace with his Sheriff, but it was returned with a clutch Bandit play from Francis . His Yoru play was single-handedly keeping Nongshim in the map, with an absurd 4K to tie the game at 10-10.

The set executes from Nongshim proved too hard for XLG to counter, especially with Francis only improving as the series continued. Sunset ended 13-11, and Nongshim Redforce completed the sweep 2-0.

From the Press Room

XLG Rarga on the elimination and unknown future: "First of all, I want to say thank you to the fans. We didn't do good at all, and I wish the best to all of my teammates; good luck in the future."

NS Rb on the wired mouse change for Champs: "Our entire team uses wireless mice, and we heard about the change with no time to spare. All we could do was adapt, get in the game."

Up next

Champions Shanghai will continue with two more elimination matches tomorrow before the deciding matches for each group begin.