NAVI Downs Vitality At IEM Atlanta, GL Progresses Against paiN

Ukrainian Counter-Strike 2 outfit, Natus Vincere, enjoyed a rare win over world number 1 Team Vitality. Over the past couple of years, and especially at the start of 2026, NAVI has seen its progression at major tournaments halted by the seemingly unstoppable Vitality.

NAVI lost to the two-time ESL Grand Slam winners at BLAST Rivals Spring, IEM Rio, and BLAST Open Rotterdam this year, without winning a single map. The signs didn’t look great heading into their tie against Vitality in the IEM Atlanta quarter finals, despite Vitality losing a game to surprise package BetBoom in the group stage.  

NAVI lost a game of their own on the way to the playoff stages, succumbing 2-1 to Legacy in the bracket final.

NAVI Eliminate Vitality

Although the first map was a tight affair, it went the same way as recent encounters between the two favourites. Vitality chose the Dust2 map. While they did emerge victorious, it was a tight map, with an eventual score of 13-11.

The second map was equally tight, but NAVI took and held the initiative on Anubis. They used this advantage to record a 13-11 win.

While the first two maps were tight affairs, Inferno was completely different. The Ukrainian team used banana control to their advantage and managed the entire leg, blitzing a 13-3 victory.

You can see highlights of the tie here or on ESL’s YouTube channel.

NAVI vs BetBoom

NAVI’s win over Vitality will count for nothing if they don’t go on to win the tournament. But first, they must face off against the relatively unknown BetBoom.

BetBoom received a bye past the quarter finals, courtesy of their impressive 3-0 record in the group stages. They beat B8 and paiN whilst also recording an impressive 2-1 victory over Vitality.

While BetBoom had Vitality’s number in the group stages, it seems likely that a rejuvenated NAVI will overcome them to reach Sunday’s final. Anything else would be a major step forward for the Russian team and a significant surprise.

GamerLegion Progresses Against paiN

In the other semi-final, GamerLegion will take on Legacy, having downed paiN 2-1 in the quarter-final matchup.

Like NAVI, GL had to overcome a loss in the first map to claim victory.

Piriajr may have eventually come out on the losing side, but he will be remembered for his staggering performance in the first map – Overpass. With 33 kills, he picked up a 2.59 rating and helped the team to a 13-6 win.

PR and Tauson couldn’t quite replicate their opponent’s success, but they did get 20 kills each on the second map, Nuke.  GL ran out 13-6 winners.

The final map was played out on Inferno with the German team winning 13-8 to book their place in the last four.

GamerLegion vs Legacy

Legacy dominated their group games, even beating NAVI to get a bye into today’s semi-final. Their hot streak gives them the slight edge over GamerLegion, although the match will likely be a tight affair.