FNATIC claimed a 2–1 win over FUT Esports in their VCT EMEA Kickoff meeting, but the scoreline only tells part of the story. The series opened with FNATIC in full control, showing sharp coordination and confidence for the first map. They dictated the pace early and never allowed FUT to find their footing, closing out the opening map on Abyss in one-sided fashion and setting a strong tone with a 13-3 end.

FUT Esports responded well on the second map, turning the series into a real contest. The game developed into a long and scrappy battle, with both teams trading rounds and clutch moments. FUT stayed patient in late rounds and punished small mistakes, eventually edging out FNATIC in overtime to level the series and force a decider map on Split where FNATIC are historically weaker.

The final map was tense throughout, with neither side able to build a clear lead. FNATIC leaned on solid fundamentals, focusing on clean trades and controlled executes and in FNATIC style leaving attack sides to the last 15 seconds every round for the plant to go down, while FUT continued to push aggressively and test their defenses. Every round felt important as the pressure mounted on both teams.

With this series, Alfajer fires up the ranking in VCT History with this incredible performance dropping 78 kills across the three maps on the Vyse, who has gone out of fashion after the recent nerf, and back on his comfort role Raze.

In the closing stages, FNATIC showed their experience. They held their nerve in key moments, converted crucial rounds, and shut the door late to secure the map and the series. The 2–1 victory highlighted FNATIC’s ability to recover from setbacks and deliver when it mattered most, while FUT Esports proved they could challenge even the top teams in EMEA after their shocker start to 2026 with some fans calling them the worst in EMEA.