S15 Qualifiers: Little Lu Bu Ashe unleashes full teamfight power, T1 defeats IG 3-1 to advance to Swiss stage

During the 2025 LoL Worlds qualifiers, T1 triumphed over IG with a 3-1 scoreline, advancing to the S15 Swiss stage.

Game One

IG: Rek'Sai, Qiyana, Ryze, Corki, Neeko

T1: Aphelios, Trundle, Taliyah, Sivir, Alistar

In the first five minutes, Theshy solo killed Doran for first blood, but soon after, Little Lu Bu swapped lanes to top and took down Theshy. Although Theshy's solo kill created momentum, it didn’t translate into an advantage. T1 then swapped to top lane to give Doran's Aphelios more farming space. During this lane swap, Theshy was caught and killed twice by T1, falling behind in the top lane matchup. T1's lane swap strategy proved very effective.

IG secured all the early dragons and used two speed-boosting plays on top lane to completely nullify T1’s early lane swap advantage. IG initiated on Rift Herald, but Wei was heavily damaged and Rift Herald was stolen by T1. Losing Rift Herald resources, IG vented their frustration on T1 in teamfights, winning engagements and extending their lead. Later, IG easily secured the Infernal Soul. At 30 minutes, IG made an aggressive move to catch enemies, but T1 defended well and counterattacked, killing IG’s top, mid, and jungle trio. T1 claimed the first Baron, used it to pressure high ground, and won the first game.

Game Two

IG: Sion, Wukong, Orianna, Caitlyn, Karma

T1: Kled, Jarvan IV, Akali, Miss Fortune, Rakan

Early skirmishes in the bottom river saw Keria catch and kill an enemy for first blood. In the Nidalee teamfight, IG was punished by Doran’s Kled, resulting in a 1-for-3 exchange. Then TheShy's Sion engaged under turret to help his team recover some ground. Meiko was killed twice in a row, disrupting IG's tower push rhythm and costing control of the dragon. In mid-game, IG grouped up to find opportunities, with Caitlyn pushing towers and Wei’s Wukong constantly looking for plays. At 19 minutes during the dragon fight, IG disrupted T1’s formation, scoring two kills and securing the dragon. Later, T1 baited and secured Rift Herald in a teamfight.

At 25 minutes, T1 won a mid-lane teamfight, killing four IG members and taking the dragon. T1 tried to keep pressuring by catching enemies, but IG countered with a team wipe on the top lane and took Baron. IG aimed to push with Baron but was stopped by T1’s initiation. However, T1 couldn’t win the ensuing teamfight. IG protected their two carries, and T1’s damage was not comparable to IG’s. IG secured the second dragon, split their forces, and pushed to high ground, winning the second game at 37 minutes.

Game Three

T1: Galio, Xin Zhao, Annie, Yuumi, Renata Glasc

IG: Rumble, Vi, Hecarim, Aphelios, Leona
IG swapped lanes early to help GALA’s Aphelios farm. T1’s bottom lane aggressively sought fights, with Oner and Little Lu Bu gaining many early advantages. Rookie’s Hecarim, supported by teammates, gained a significant lead over Faker’s Annie. Wei’s mid and bottom lane pressure allowed Rookie and TheShy to secure kills in lane.

T1 took three dragons, and at 18 minutes, IG lost a dragon fight with three deaths. T1 built an early lead and snowballed the game by controlling dragons and resources, leaving IG unable to contest. GALA’s Aphelios, who was farming steadily, was repeatedly killed by Oner and Little Lu Bu. At 23 minutes, IG caught Oner’s Xin Zhao in the jungle, seeming to gain an opportunity, but T1’s other four members quickly killed IG’s mid and jungle. Later, IG’s two carries grew strong enough to contest teamfights, but Wei made a critical mistake, losing vision around Baron to T1. IG lost Baron and was wiped in the ensuing fight, allowing T1 to secure the win.

Game Four

IG: Varus, Pantheon, Sylas, Ziggs, Nautilus

T1: Ornn, Nocturne, LeBlanc, Ashe, Lulu

Early on, Rookie’s Sylas struggled in lane. Although Meiko helped secure first blood on Faker’s LeBlanc, Rookie was soon ganked and killed by T1. IG grouped to dive Doran’s Ornn under turret top, trading one for one. At 13 minutes, IG found kills in both mid and bottom lanes, with TheShy scoring a solo kill and mid lane catching Oner’s Nocturne.

In mid-game, IG completely collapsed. At 17 minutes, an overly greedy bottom lane engage led to four kills for T1. Oner continued pressuring in the jungle with successful ganks, causing IG to fall apart. The mid-game was dominated by T1’s aggressive pickoffs. Although IG stopped one push with Rift Herald at 21 minutes, T1’s initiation and pick potential were overwhelming, allowing them to take Rift Herald. As the game progressed into "garbage time," T1 relentlessly pushed and secured the victory at 27 minutes.