Mortalles highlighted the most interesting matches from the final day of the group stage at the 2026 Esports World Cup in Dota 2
Commentator Dmitry “Mortalles” Arzhilovsky highlighted the most exciting matches from the final day of group play at the 2026 Esports World Cup in Dota 2 on his personal Telegram channel.
Quotes are reproduced with the source’s spelling and punctuation intact
On L1GA TEAM vs. Level UP
...> L1GA TEAM and Level UP couldn’t even compete for fourth place and were predictably eliminated. And yet, L1GA TEAM still has to compete at TI. The team is still completely raw. It’s usually not a good idea to get involved in matches like this, since no one knows whether the teams will take the game seriously.
Of course, if they’d played this match on any other day, L1GA TEAM would have won 2-0, but today, in a bad mood, they might not even care about the game. The difference in prize money between last and second-to-last place is too small and probably doesn’t motivate anyone.
About Poor Rangers and Rune Eaters
In this matchup between the underdogs of the other group, both teams are motivated.
RE has a real chance to stay in the tournament. To do so, they need to take three cards between them and BB in their respective matches—it doesn’t matter in what combination. Any other outcome could either send them to the playoffs or knock them out of the tournament altogether. Naturally, they’re motivated. So are the PR. But their situation is even tougher. They need their own win plus a BB win—and then it’s a three-team playoff.
I don’t think BB will mess around. They still have a shot at first place, even if it now depends on XG.
I think this one will simply end 2-0 one way or the other.
About Team Falcons vs. Xtreme Gaming
The Falcons are expected to beat a team like XG and advance to the playoffs. BB only have themselves to blame for losing the RE map.
About Group B
In Group B, Liquid is unlikely to take first place. Not only do they need to win 2-0, but they also have to hope for a win by Playtime, who definitely won’t climb any higher than third place.
Specifically in these matchups, I want to see 2-0 wins for Nigma Galaxy and Aurora Gaming, followed by a thrilling tiebreaker for first place.
The tiebreakers, if any, will also take place today.
If Liquid take at least one map, Nigma will simply advance to the playoffs from the top spot. Playtime lacks motivation and might let up.
Earlier, L1GA TEAM midlaner Miras “Mirage`” Mutanov spoke about the team’s elimination from the 2026 Esports World Cup in Dota 2, the reasons for their loss, their experience competing in a LAN tournament, and their preparations for The International.
Photo by Dmitry “Mortalles” Arzhilovsky.
