Welcome to our VALORANT Champions match ratings. As the tournament starts its knockout stage, Upcomer will rate every match of the first VALORANT world championship so fans can easily tell which matches they need to watch and remember from the tournament. The matchups from Day 8 of the VALORANT Champions knockout stage include Cloud9 vs. Team Liquid and Team Secret vs. Acend in a full slate of VALORANT action.
Our rating scale
From one (lowest) to five (highest) stars, here’s what each star rating means in layman’s terms:
* Boring. Utterly skippable and something no one will remember by tomorrow
** Watchable. Possibly recommended based on your rooting interests
*** Good. Something I’d recommend checking out, even if you’re not a fan of either team
**** Must-watch. A game or series that you need to watch if you have any interest in VALORANT
***** An all-time classic. This perfect rating is only achievable if a game or match is at the highest level of entertainment, gameplay and will go down in the lexicon as a moment no VALORANT fan will ever forget
Let’s get started
North America’s last hope Cloud9 will take on what looks like Europe, the Middle East and Africa’s best team in Liquid. The two perennial esports powerhouses face off in the second series of the day as South East Asia’s Team Secret go up against a somewhat faltering Acend side to start Day 8 of VALORANT Champions. Neither team will look to give an inch as, this time around, there is no lower bracket to fall into.
THE ROAD TO FINALS BEGINS HERE! Which teams will be our first 2 semifinalists at #VALORANTChampions?
Watch live at https://t.co/io2c23tsMd pic.twitter.com/W1nmu8ywYC
— VALORANT Champions Tour (@ValorantEsports) December 8, 2021
Team Secret vs. Acend: Icebox
** stars
The first map of the knockout stage was a bit of a let down, and not just because it was on Icebox. Acend took an early lead and then lackadaisically turned that into a map. Meanwhile, Team Secret desperately tried to claw back into it. There were some cool clips but fans can skip this one.
Team Secret vs. Acend: Breeze
** 1/2 stars
Second verse was the same as the first, the European team took a first half lead into a slow win in the second. Team Secret definitely had some great clips but Acend looked prepped to face the Philippian team and broke them down across this game. I’ll always remember these old heads for their stuffed penguin, twerking and upset potential.
Team Liquid vs. Cloud9: Bind
*** 1/2 stars
An entertaining first map with what seemed like back to back highlight clips from both teams. From strategic plays to individual pop offs, this match had everything except overtime and a true carry performance. Don’t start the ‘near airport’ chants just yet.
Team Liquid vs. Cloud9: Ascent
**** stars
The community has waited long enough. Nathan “leaf” Orf made us believe for a moment that Cloud9 could force at least a Map 3, but the blue horse have denied the North American hopefuls. Start the chants, they’ve got time to catch the last flight out of Germany.
This article will continue updating throughout the day.
