VCT Masters London 2026 Day 8: LEVIATÁN and FUT Survive Lower-Bracket Eliminations at Masters London

Day 8 of VCT Masters London 2026 marked the beginning of the Playoffs elimination matches, where every loss meant the end of a team's championship run. By the end of the day, LEVIATÁN and FUT Esports kept their hopes alive, while Team Heretics and G2 Esports became the latest teams eliminated from the event.

LEVIATÁN Eliminate Team Heretics in Three Maps

After suffering a disappointing upper-bracket defeat, LEVIATÁN bounced back convincingly, defeating Team Heretics 2-1 in a lower-bracket survival series. While Heretics managed to force a decider with a strong showing on Lotus, LEVIATÁN looked dominant on both Split and Ascent to secure the victory.

Map 1: Split (LEV 13-3 TH)

LEVIATÁN wasted no time setting the tone for the series. A pistol-round victory allowed the Americas squad to gain early momentum, and despite Heretics finding success in the anti-bonus round, LEV consistently controlled the pace of the map.

The combination of Phoenix and Neon proved difficult for Heretics to contain, while LEV's utility coordination repeatedly shut down attacking opportunities. Although benjyfishy delivered several important rounds to keep Heretics competitive, LEVIATÁN's defensive setups remained one step ahead throughout the first half.

Holding a commanding 9-3 lead at halftime, LEV continued their dominance after the side swap. Another pistol-round victory pushed them further ahead, and a crucial multi-kill round from blowz effectively ended any hopes of a comeback. LEVIATÁN closed out Split 13-3 to take an early series lead.

Map 2: Lotus (TH 13-11 LEV)

Facing elimination, Heretics responded with a much stronger performance on Lotus.

The EMEA side secured an early pistol-round win and looked significantly more prepared compared to the opening map. While LEVIATÁN managed to deny the bonus conversion and keep the game close, Heretics showed improved coordination around their double-duelist composition.

A standout first half from benjyfishy helped Heretics edge ahead 7-5 before halftime. LEV answered immediately by winning the second pistol round, leveling the score and setting up a tightly contested battle.

As the map progressed, both teams traded momentum repeatedly. Wo0t and koshmaras stepped up in crucial rounds, while LEVIATÁN's aggressive Neon play continued to create pressure. The match remained neck-and-neck until the final rounds, where Heretics finally broke through. The Lithuanian duo of Boo and koshmaras delivered key impact plays to secure a 13-11 victory and force a decider.

Map 3: Ascent (LEV 13-6 TH)

With their tournament lives on the line, LEVIATÁN produced their strongest map of the series.

Once again, blowz played a pivotal role in establishing an early lead, while LEV's defensive setups consistently caught Heretics off guard. Their creative trap plays generated opening kills throughout the first half, allowing the Americas representatives to build an 8-4 advantage.

The second-half pistol round proved to be a turning point. Heretics desperately needed the win to stay within reach, but LEVIATÁN's coordinated aggression secured the round and pushed them into double digits.

From there, LEV never looked back. Clean retakes, disciplined utility usage, and strong individual performances allowed them to maintain complete control of the map. A 13-6 victory on Ascent sealed the series and ended Team Heretics' run at Masters London.

With the win, LEVIATÁN advance deeper into the lower bracket and will face the next team dropping from the upper-bracket semifinals.

FUT Esports Knock Out G2 Esports

The second elimination match of the day featured two teams looking to recover from painful upper-bracket losses. In the end, FUT Esports emerged victorious, defeating G2 Esports 2-0 and sending the Americas powerhouse home.

The result leaves LEVIATÁN as the final remaining Americas representative in London, while FUT continue to keep EMEA's hopes of a Masters title alive.

Map 1: Ascent (FUT 13-6 G2)

FUT entered the series with a unique composition on Ascent, opting for a double-sentinel setup rather than their more common double-duelist approach.

The strategy worked perfectly from the start.

Led by in-game leader sociablEE, FUT's attack side repeatedly found gaps in G2's defense. The Turkish squad stormed to a 6-0 lead before G2 finally managed to get on the board. Even then, FUT maintained full control of the half and entered the break ahead 9-3.

G2 secured the second-half pistol round and briefly looked capable of mounting a comeback, but FUT's defense quickly shut the door. yetujey's lurking impact and clutch potential repeatedly punished G2's attempts to gain momentum.

With every player contributing across the board, FUT comfortably closed out Ascent 13-6 and moved within one map of victory.

Map 2: Lotus (FUT 15-13 G2)

Lotus delivered one of the most entertaining maps of the tournament so far.

G2 entered one of their strongest maps and initially appeared in control thanks to several standout rounds from leaf. The North American side built an early lead and looked set to force a third map.

However, FUT continuously disrupted G2's rhythm through aggressive plays and well-timed executions. Despite trailing 7-5 at halftime, the Turkish side remained firmly within striking distance.

The second half became a back-and-forth battle. Momentum swung repeatedly between both teams as neither side could establish a decisive advantage. G2 eventually reached map point at 12-11 and stood just one round away from extending the series.

FUT refused to fold.

With a weaker economy and their tournament lives on the line, they produced a scrappy but perfectly coordinated round to force overtime. Once extra rounds began, FUT's confidence continued to grow. After trading defensive victories early in overtime, the Turkish side finally broke through to secure a dramatic 15-13 win.

sociablEE and yetujey finished the series tied for the server lead in kills, highlighting a complete team performance that carried FUT into the next round.

What's Next at VCT Masters London 2026?

LEVIATÁN and FUT Esports survive another day and remain in contention for the VCT Masters London 2026 trophy.

LEVIATÁN will continue their lower-bracket journey against the next team dropping from the upper-bracket semifinals, while FUT Esports earn a valuable day of rest before facing the loser of the upcoming clash between Paper Rex and Team Vitality.

With only six teams remaining in London, the race toward the Masters championship is becoming increasingly intense.

Upcoming Matches

The third day of the Masters London Playoffs will feature the two upper-bracket semifinal matchups.

Upper-Bracket Semifinals

• EDward Gaming vs Xi Lai Gaming

• Paper Rex vs Team Vitality