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 9 of the VALORANT Champions knockout stage include X10 CRIT vs. Gambit Esports and Fnatic vs. KRÜ Esports 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
Today is a critical day for three different regions. If X10 CRIT and KRÜ Esports both lose, the finals will be EMEA only. Since Team Secret lost to Acend in the quarterfinals and KRÜ Esports was the only team to qualify from Latin America, they both are the last hopes for the region.
X10 CRIT vs. Gambit Esports: Fracture
*** stars
Seeing a new map in play is always hype, as well as getting to see rarely played agents like Breach or Cypher. However, Gambit looked really hot this map. They ended the half ahead 9-3 and, while X10 CRIT put up a fight, Gambit won the map with a decisive 13-7. If you are interested to see how the map is being played, then I would recommend this match.
X10 CRIT vs. Gambit Esports: Ascent
**** stars
X10 were there to prove the world wrong and show that they belonged. Gambit is nearly undefeated on Ascent and their defense is unparalleled. But X10 beat them out with a clean 13-7. This was definitely a good match to watch, as it seems that X10 caught onto Gambit and were able to snowball their lead. A really great match overall.
X10 CRIT vs. Gambit Esports: Breeze
***** stars
THE TIMING!@X10CRIT | #VALORANTChampions pic.twitter.com/4tsE0No8ol
— VALORANT Champions Tour (@ValorantEsports) December 9, 2021
Seeing a team like X10 CRIT going toe-to-toe with a giant like Gambit Esports is a sight to see. Even though they lost 7-13, it speaks to the potential that the SEA region has going into VCT 2022. Unfortunately, with this loss, we have to say goodbye (for now) to X10 CRIT, and SEA is out of Champions. EMEA, however, is one step closer to having an EMEA only VALORANT Champions Finals.
KRÜ Esports vs. Fnatic: Haven
***** stars
KRU TAKE HAVEN! 😳#VALORANTChampions
🔴 https://t.co/lnFqSOz2in
🔴 https://t.co/gOeCu9PySk pic.twitter.com/2NLtdkXbEg— Plat Chat (@PlatChatPodcast) December 9, 2021
A super close game. KRÜ held up against the relentless Fnatic assault, with rounds bouncing back and forth forcing the EMEA team into OT after being down 8-4 in the half. After a terrifying 1 round of OT, KRÜ took the map 15-13. I would be lying if I said I wasn’t on the edge of my seat the whole time. Fantastic game, one to remember for a long time.
KRÜ Esports vs. Fnatic: Icebox
*** stars
6⃣ MAN ACE @keznitdeuS | #VALORANTChampions pic.twitter.com/z7iWHF0w8A
— VALORANT Champions Tour (@ValorantEsports) December 9, 2021
Unfortunately, it was not as close as the first map. Fnatic was able to take it to 6-13. Not a bad game per se, but in comparison to the first game, it is very lack luster.
Just a note, Angelo “keznit” Mori dropped, 28 kills on the map. And had at least 2 aces that I caught. He was really popping off.
