VCTCN: happywei starts with an ACE, intimidating everyone as XLG sweeps EDG 2-0

During the 2026 VCTCN Kickoff Winner’s Bracket Semifinals, XLG swept EDG 2-0 and moved on to the Winner’s Finals to compete against AG for the inaugural Santiago Masters slot.

Image 1: Neon Town

Defending team XLG: Yelu, Huanling, Heimeng, Youying, Kuishe

Attacking team EDG: Kuishe, Neon, Yelu, Heimeng, Youying

In the first half, happywei led the team to win the pistol round, then Kangkang slid through mid to secure two kills, and Qiuqiu flanked to break the defense and clinch the round.

EDG started with five consecutive wins, and XLG failed to secure any rifle rounds. Even after a timeout in round 6, XLG still couldn’t score.

In round 7, EDG’s B site gunfight failed, allowing XLG to turn the tide with a comeback round.

XLG won three rounds in a row and successfully countered EDG’s fast pushes with precise shooting. In round 10, EDG caught NoMan’s Omen, accelerated into the site, but Rarga traded two kills, Qiuqiu smoked the site, and XLG’s rotation eliminated EDG amid the chaos.

NoMan’s Omen aggressively took control of the site, while Rarga’s duel with happywei’s solid defense helped XLG secure six consecutive rounds, leading 7-5 at halftime against EDG.

In the second half, EDG switched to defense but couldn’t stop XLG’s offense. XLG went on a 12-round winning streak to decisively take Neon Town.

Image 2: Deep Sea Pearl

Defending team XLG: Yelu, Huanling, Heimeng, Qile, Xingke

Attacking team EDG: Qile, Neon, Yelu, Liexiao, Xingke

In the first half, happywei achieved an ACE in the pistol round to lead the team to victory. In round 3, cb won the clutch and secured the bonus round.

In round 4, Lysoar held the B site’s backline, taking down four enemies to repel EDG’s attack.

In round 5, Rarga bravely defended A site alone to stop EDG’s push and win the round.

XLG went on a six-round winning streak until round 10, when EDG called their second timeout and took B site with a pincer attack to get their second point.

In round 11, nobody exploded with a four-kill, but failed to win the final 1v1 clutch.

In round 12, EDG executed a fast push on A site; nobody used his ultimate as a scouting arrow for teammates, enabling EDG’s quick rush to succeed. EDG used both timeouts in the first half and scored three points, while XLG had nine.

In the second half, XLG again won the pistol round. In round 15, cb aggressively pushed forward “giving up the gun,” XLG dropped a big B site spike, but EDG’s defense rotated back, and nobody exploded with a triple kill to win the round.

In round 16, Kangkang aggressively challenged A site, trading out Rarga, while happywei and NoMan pushed hard to clear EDG’s defense at A site.

In round 17, Rarga got the first kill by eliminating cb at B site. Both teams clashed at B, but XLG made a mistake by not checking behind the billboard, allowing Kangkang to flank and get a side kill.

In round 18, XLG’s mixed weapons push took down EDG’s defense through mid, but cb stepped up with a crucial four-kill to lead the team to victory.

In round 19, Kangkang advanced with no armor on Omen, but XLG executed a mid-to-A pincer. EDG’s defense failed to hold, and XLG won Deep Sea Pearl 13-6.