The MongolZ Beat HEROIC to Reach IEM Beijing 2026 Playoffs

The MongolZ secured a spot in the IEM Beijing 2026 playoffs after defeating HEROIC 2:0. The Mongolian team comfortably won Inferno 13:7 before edging out Nuke in overtime with a 19:17 scoreline.

The result guaranteed The MongolZ a top-six finish at the tournament and marked their first playoff appearance at a Big Event since BLAST Rotterdam. The team continues to gain momentum following the arrival of Yesuntumur “nin9” Gantulga, and the victory over HEROIC was another sign of the revamped lineup’s progress.

"1. The MongolZ Beat HEROIC to Reach IEM Beijing 2026 Playoffs","1.1. The MongolZ Set the Pace on Inferno","1.2. Nuke Turns Into a Long Battle","1.3. The MongolZ Return to Big Event Playoffs"

The MongolZ Set the Pace on Inferno

The first map was controlled by The MongolZ, who looked particularly strong on the CT side. They limited HEROIC’s options, built a comfortable lead, and consistently won key duels without allowing their opponents to fully get back into the game.

Inferno eventually ended 13:7 in favor of The MongolZ. The best player of the entire series was cobrazera, who finished the match with 44 kills, 87.9 ADR, and a 1.30 rating.

Nuke Turns Into a Long Battle

HEROIC put up much stronger resistance on Nuke and came close to victory several times. The team led 10:7 and later 12:10, but The MongolZ kept finding ways back into the game.

One of the key moments was a quad-kill from Brollan, which helped HEROIC stay alive and push the map into overtime. In the extra rounds, however, nin9 played a decisive role.

The new addition first won an important 1v2 clutch thanks to a timely rotation and accurate shooting. Techno then added another 1v2 clutch to finally break HEROIC’s resistance and secure the map.

Across 12 overtime rounds, nin9 posted a 1.86 rating and became one of the key figures in the closing stages. Nuke ended 19:17 in favor of The MongolZ.

Falcons Eliminate FaZe From IEM Beijing 2026

The MongolZ Return to Big Event Playoffs

The result is especially important for the Mongolian team after a run of four consecutive ninth-place finishes at major tournaments. The MongolZ have now secured another arena appearance and at least a top-six finish at IEM Beijing 2026.

After the match, Techno said he was especially happy about the opportunity to play on stage in China, which the team considers its home region. He also highlighted the importance of nin9’s clutch in the overtime battle on Nuke.

HEROIC still have a chance to continue their tournament run despite the loss. The team dropped into the lower bracket, where they will face Falcons in an elimination match, with the loser exiting IEM Beijing 2026.