
FURIA captain Gabriel “FalleN” Toledo, in an interview at the 2026 CS2 Esports World Cup, shared his thoughts after advancing to the event’s quarterfinals, outlined the team’s goals for the championship, and spoke about the pressure he’s facing as his career nears its end.
Do I feel relieved right now? Definitely, but I’d also like to highlight the team’s resilience. It was a tough match, but I think Aurora has a bright future ahead. They have excellent players, and, of course, this is just the beginning of the journey for the team. They played well—it was a great match.
When a new IGL joins the team, the gameplay naturally starts to feel different. If you compare this Aurora lineup to the one we beat in Cologne, the difference is noticeable. I think this team is playing really well right now. For example, our opponents’ style on Nuke has changed a bit compared to what it was in the past. It’s a positive change on their part. I’m glad our team was able to deliver when it mattered most. We kept believing in ourselves, and I’m definitely pleased with the team’s performance.
At every championship we attend, we believe we can win. However, we fully understand that there are still about five to seven teams with exactly the same ambitions, not to mention the underdogs capable of unexpectedly “breaking out” and pulling off a surprise. We believe in our success, but we need to take it one step at a time. <...>
I definitely don’t feel any extra pressure on my shoulders. Perhaps I have an even greater desire to win. Right now, I just want to enjoy the game. It’s important to me to give it my all and continue doing what I’ve done best for the past 23 years.
Earlier, FURIA defeated G2 Esports in the quarterfinals of the 2026 Esports World Cup for Counter-Strike 2 with a 2-1 map score in a best-of-3 series. Gabriel “FalleN” Toledo’s team will play in the tournament’s semifinals tomorrow, August 22, at 5:00 p.m. Moscow time.