Preface: The pivotal match of the 2026 League of Legends Mid-Season Invitational concluded with G2 defeating TES 3-2 to advance to the MSI Winner's Bracket second round. In this BO5 series,TES once again etched its name into LOL history, becoming the first team ever to lose after securing a 2-0 lead in MSI.TES's core player, JKL, underperformed significantly in this BO5, leading many viewers to believe he should take the blame for the loss.

Before the match between TES and G2, G2's top laner, BB, stated in an interview that G2 would dominate LPL and LCK teams at MSI and ultimately win the championship, adding that the LPL team TES would serve as a perfect "stepping stone." Initially, many LPL fans dismissed BB's remarks as arrogance, especially since TES had defeated G2 3-1 at Worlds last year. Many hoped TES would prove BB wrong, but to their dismay, TES allowed G2 to come back from a 2-0 deficit in this BO5.

TES dominated the first two games of the BO5. However, starting from the third game, issues with the team's champion pool depth and mental fortitude emerged. For instance, TES top laner Zuian's champion pool was exposed. Whether it was Tristana in Game 4 or Ornn in Game 5, both performances ended up "feeding" the enemy team, making team fights extremely difficult for TES. Besides Zuian's champion pool problems, JKL's in-game form also frustrated many viewers.

Regarded by many as the team's core player in the LPL, JKL's performance at MSI has been a major disappointment for fans. In the series against G2, JKL was killed in lane by the G2 bot lane duo six times, dying in the laning phase almost every game. Due to his poor performance, JKL received the lowest post-match rating of only 3.4. Most viewers believe that while rookie Zuian's champion pool issues are understandable, JKL, as an LPL veteran, should not be repeatedly caught and killed in the critical games.

After TES dropped to the MSI Loser's Bracket, many fans hope the management will bring top laner 369 back. Zuian's play on tank champions is seen as rough, and many TES fans want the team to implement a top lane rotation. The idea is for Zuian to play carry-type champions while 369 handles tank/defensive ones. Zuian would start the initial games, and when his champion pool runs thin, 369 would come in to play tanks. (What do you think of this approach?)

Despite falling to the Loser's Bracket, some insiders suggest that losing the first round to G2 might be a blessing in disguise. According to MSI's rules, the eventual winner of the G2-TES match would have to face two teams among HLE, T1, or BLG, risking elimination in the MSI top six. However, by losing the first round, TES is likely to advance to the MSI top four, as their path in the Loser's Bracket will be against teams perceived as weaker, such as TSW, FURIA, and LYON.

Conclusion

TES truly has a knack for making history. No team had lost a BO5 after a 2-0 lead in the 11 years of MSI, but TES has achieved this dubious record in just their second MSI appearance. Of course, exposing problems early allows for early solutions. What adjustments do you think TES needs to make to redeem themselves at this MSI? Next year's MSI LPL first seed, BLG, is about to face T1. Do you think BLG can defeat T1 and secure the first victory for the LPL?