MSI 2025: G2 Esports Versus Bilibili Gaming Ends in Disappointment for European Hope

Heading into the winner’s match for MSI, very few expected G2 Esports to beat Bilibili Gaming. However, most thought that G2 would put up a fight in the series, but they struggled to match the LPL giants. Game one was nearly in G2’s favor, which may have altered the series, but it was not to be. BLG has qualified for the MSI Bracket Stage, while G2 must beat GAM Esports to advance.

MSI Match Four Game One

Draft

• B1 – Annie
• R1+2 – Pantheon+Aurora
• B2+3 – Xin Zhao+Rumble
• R3 – Ornn
• R4 – Ezreal
• B4+5 – Miss Fortune+Alistar
• R5 – Leona

Summary

It is a quiet early game, with no fights happening in the first six minutes. First blood goes to Bin’s Rumble when Skewmond goes onto Beichuan. G2 opens up the first skirmish by catching Beichuan, but they get over-eager and push into the waiting arms of BLG. Both teams find kills during the mid-game, but neither has a significant impact. Using their tempo, BLG burns down Atakan and gets a kill, but the game remains close.

BLG blows open the game with a mid-fight into Baron secured. BLG’s push does not end the game, and that leads to a mid-lane fight with Baron and Drake up. G2 wins the fight and charges down for the end. They fall narrowly short of destroying the Nexus. Bin and Knight TP into G2’s base for the end.

Game Two

Draft

• B1 – Vi
• R1+2 – Taliyah+Skarner
• B2+3 – Ahri+Jax
• R3 – Sion
• R4 – Varus
• B4+5 – Sivir+Neeko
• R5 – Karma

Summary

The mid and bot lanes are a nightmare for G2 as Knight solo kills Caps while Elk and On poke pressure Hans Sama and Labrov. The G2 Jungle Support duo links up in mid-lane to punish a flashless Knight and get an extra kill on Beichuan. Even with the swap to get Hans Sama away from Elk, he and BrokenBlade are down on the farm. G2 continues to get caught, but does manage to find picks with the Vi and Neeko duo. The first significant fight goes BLG’s way with two kills and the Ocean Soul. The Baron push takes its time, but it is enough for BLG to end the game.

Game Three

Draft

• B1 – Twisted Fate
• R1+2 – Poppy+Veigar
• B2+3 – Trundle+Rell
• R3 – Renekton
• R4 – Kai’Sa
• B4+5 – Senna+Olaf
• R5 – Rakan

Summary

Knight finds BrokenBlade before minions spawn, earning first blood on Veigar. Besides the early kill, the map is mostly silent. G2 and BLG trade kills on each side, with Caps getting a solo kill on Elk. Another quiet mid-game occurs until G2 tries to use their global ultimates on Bin. The play is unsuccessful, and they fall behind.

Beichuan’s mistake almost leads to his death, and because of it, G2 denies the Drake stacking. BLG instead takes the Atakan. BLG’s Baron Powerplay earns three kills and two inhibitors. They can not end the game but are on the brink of qualification. G2 looks to find the position on the Infernal Soul, but they get caught, and BLG closes out the series.

Reaction

BLG looked dominant in the series, but most of that can be attributed to G2’s mistakes. BLG was quick to punish G2, and in games two and three, the European second seed had little chance to win. If they destroyed the Nexus in game one, the series outcome may have been different. BLG qualified for the Bracket Stage, while G2 must face GAM Esports in the final match of the MSI Play-Ins.