BetBoom Beat Liquid to Reach IEM Beijing 2026 Playoffs

BetBoom secured a spot in the IEM Beijing 2026 playoffs after a hard-fought 2:1 victory over Liquid. The Russian lineup comfortably won Anubis 13:5, lost Nuke 11:13, and then edged out their opponents on the deciding Mirage with a 13:11 scoreline.

The series turned out to be much closer than it may have seemed after the opening map. Liquid managed to recover after a poor Anubis and came close to turning Mirage around, but a decisive ace from zorte in the 23rd round changed the course of the ending and put BetBoom on match point.

Magnojez Dominates on Anubis, Liquid Fight Back on Nuke, zorte’s Ace Decides Mirage, BetBoom Advance to the Decisive Stage of the Tournament

Magnojez Dominates on Anubis

The opening map was the most one-sided of the series. Liquid picked Anubis, but BetBoom completely took control and gave their opponents almost no chance to put up a fight.

The standout player was Magnojez. He finished the map with 21 kills in 18 rounds and a 2.40 rating - the best Big Event performance of his career. The Russian player won seven multi-kill rounds, pulled off a 1v3 clutch, and finished the opening duels with a 7-2 record.

BetBoom comfortably closed Anubis 13:5 and took a major advantage into the second map.

Liquid Fight Back on Nuke

BetBoom once again started better on Nuke and finished the first half with a 9:3 lead after a strong T-side performance. It looked like the series could end quickly, but Liquid stepped up sharply after the side switch.

Winning an important pistol round helped the North American lineup launch their comeback. Liquid gradually reduced the deficit and eventually brought the game level in the closing stages.

The decisive 24th round went to Jorko and EliGE, who combined for all five kills and helped their team close Nuke 13:11. The series then moved to Mirage.

zorte’s Ace Decides Mirage

Liquid started the deciding map more aggressively and took a 5:2 lead, largely thanks to strong play from Jorko. BetBoom quickly regained control, however, winning five rounds in a row to finish the first half ahead 7:5.

The battle became even closer after the side switch. Jorko recorded a quad-kill with the AWP on the A site and helped Liquid tie the score at 10:10 before the teams eventually reached 11:11.

That was when the key moment of the entire series happened. In the 23rd round, zorte recorded an ace and put BetBoom on match point. Beyond the score itself, the round also dealt a major blow to Liquid’s economy and left them in a difficult position before their final attempt.

In the last round, Liquid were forced into a quick B-site hit without a defuse kit, but Magnojez stopped the attack and sealed Mirage 13:11.

Liquid Eliminate TYLOO From IEM Beijing 2026

BetBoom Advance to the Decisive Stage of the Tournament

The victory over Liquid gave BetBoom the final Group B playoff spot at IEM Beijing 2026. After losing to MOUZ, the team worked its way through the lower bracket, defeating Aurora before winning the decisive series against Liquid.

Magnojez was BetBoom’s best player across the match, finishing with 55 kills, 87.7 ADR, and a 1.32 rating. EliGE was Liquid’s top performer with 46 kills and a 1.06 rating.