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In the first quarter-final of the 2023 League of Legends World Championship, Weibo Gaming delivered a stunning 3-0 victory over NRG, effectively shattering the hopes of Western teams in the tournament.
NRG entered this clash as the underdogs, but their impressive performance in the Swiss stage, particularly their victory over Europe’s G2 Esports, had already marked them as a force to be reckoned with.
However, Weibo Gaming had other plans, and they executed their strategy with relentless aggression and unyielding pressure, systematically dismantling NRG and leaving them with dashed dreams.
The series began with a closely contested game, featuring an explosive draft that promised thrilling gameplay for fans.
Both teams lived up to the expectations, engaging in intense skirmishes and teamfights, resulting in kills on both sides.
While NRG secured neutral objectives, Weibo Gaming consistently accumulated kills, enabling Wang “Light” Guangyu’s Aphelios to scale and dominate the game.
Ultimately, Weibo secured the Baron, pushing NRG to the brink.
Weibo’s momentum carried into the second game, where they exhibited even more dominance, establishing a 2,000 gold lead in under 10 minutes.
Wei “Weiwei” Bohan’s exceptional jungle control allowed his teammates to apply unrelenting pressure in their respective lanes, leading to a decisive victory for Weibo Gaming.
The final game followed a similar pattern, with Weibo Gaming closing it out in under 30 minutes.
They secured the first blood, all the drakes, the Baron, and nearly 20 kills.
NRG attempted desperate plays, but Weibo Gaming showed no mercy, securing their spot in the semi-finals after a match that lasted less than three hours.
Weibo Gaming’s dominant performance not only eliminated NRG but also extinguished the last hopes for a Western team in the tournament.
Looking ahead to the semi-finals, Weibo awaits the winner of the Gen.G Esports vs. Bilibili Gaming clash in the second quarterfinals of Worlds 2023.
This first quarter-final of Worlds 2023 also signified the exit of the LCS from the tournament, leaving only the LCK and LPL teams in contention, a familiar scenario in recent years.
Weibo Gaming, despite being newcomers to the Worlds stage as an organization, showcased their prowess in the tournament, while NRG’s impressive journey came to an end despite their strong performances in the Swiss Stage.
Among the seven teams remaining, only five players have lifted the Summoner’s Cup, including Kang “TheShy” Seung-lok and Liu “Crisp” Qingsong, who aim to repeat their success, this time in different colors.
WELCOME TO THE #WORLDS2023 SEMIFINALS:@WeiboGamingLoL sweep the series against @NRGLeague and advance to the Top 4! pic.twitter.com/FWo1I0vR6G
— LoL Esports (@lolesports) November 2, 2023
