IEM Cologne Major 2026 Quarterfinals Recap: Upsets, Overtime Thrillers & Highlights
What a game! What emotions and unbelievable twists and turns! The Quarterfinals are behind, but they have already set the bar high for the Semifinals and Grand Final. Of course, everything started with the Playoff opening ceremony, where we saw all the teams that made it through. Also, it’s interesting that coldzera himself brought out the IEM Cologne Major trophy. But what happened after this? Follow our material to make sure you won’t miss any moments from the IEM Cologne Major 2026 and more interesting details during the Quarterfinals!
In article you will find:
Aurora Gaming vs BetBoom Team
The first teams to open the Quarterfinals were Aurora Gaming and BetBoom Team. BB picked Nuke, while Aurora picked Anubis. Dust II was the decider.
Predictably, BetBoom showed from the first minutes why they chose a nuclear power plant. The Russian team, being T-side, aggressively rushed both first rounds, leaving their Turkish opponents no chance to win. Still, the eco round with Deagles by Aurora instantly shifted the balance. Thanks to impressive shots from XANTARES and his teammates, the Turkish team secured a 7:5 and then 13:6. Even a clutch from Boombl4 and multiple weapon savings couldn’t help BetBoom.
In fact, a similar fate has also awaited the Russian players on Anubis. This time, the initiative of the fight was on Aurora’s side. Being CT-side, they easily defended sites for six rounds. At the same time, the first half ended with a 6:6 score. After switching sides, the Turkish team secured another five rounds (11:6) and lost pace for a while. Overall, this map also wasn’t successful for BetBoom Team. Aurora Gaming won on Anubis with a 13:9 score.
Here are some of the most noticeable highlights from these matches:
- Wicadia makes a clutch with Deagle.
- A quad kill from XANTARES.
- A triple kill from woxic.
9z Team vs FURIA
The next teams for the first day of the Quarterfinals were 9z Team and FURIA. They picked Dust II and Mirage, respectively, with Overpass as the decider.
The first match on Dust II began with aggressive site rushing by 9z on the T-side. The pace was so high that FURIA managed only two kills in the first four rounds. As a result, the first half ended 9:3. The Brazilian team’s situation improved after switching sides. For example, molodoy secured two double kills in different rounds. Still, the first match ended 13:8 in 9z Team’s favor.
The match on Mirage was similar to FURIA’s experience at the beginning. At the same time, somehow, they have managed to outplay their competitors from Argentina. For example, being Terrorists for the first half of the match, FURIA secured enough time to prevent 9z from defusing a bomb on the seventh and ninth rounds. Moreover, they changed the pace and made an equal score before changing sides with an eye-catching clutch from molodoy. But undoubtedly, the CT side was more comfortable for the Brazilians, allowing them to win 9:13 or 1:1 on maps.
As a result, everything was relying on Overpass. 9z begins as Terrorists, instantly securing the first two rounds. yuurih has made a triple kill in the fourth round, forcing 9z to make an eco fifth round. While they could secure one more round, FURIA didn’t lose pace and finished the first half with a 3:9 score. Moreover, on the CT side, 9z were successful until the 6:9 score. But a double kill from KSCERATO on Monster, with a further triple in the round overall, allowed FURIA to continue the fight. In the end, the Brazilian team won 6:13.
You can check the most noticeable moments from these matches below:
- max clutches the round on Dust II.
- A quad kill from molodoy.
G2 Esports vs Team Spirit
G2 Esports and Team Spirit have opened the second day of the Quarterfinals. The German team picked Overpass, while their competitors chose Dust II. Mirage was the decider. Without a doubt, these three matches were the most exciting. Of course, it’s because of incredible moments, unbelievable clutches, and multiple overtimes. But how exactly was it?
On Overpass, G2 started as Terrorists. While the map itself is considered CT-sided, the German team secured five rounds before switching sides. As soon as they began playing as Counter-Terrorists, G2 easily won a pistol round and even forced Spirit to take a few force buy and eco rounds. As a result, they secured this map with a 13:9 score.
Still, the match on Dust II wasn’t so comfortable for the German team. It was a peak of Team Spirit, with a win rate of 68.8%, while G2 had only 59.2%. Of course, the first four rounds were successful for the German players. At the same time, their Russian competitors didn’t come to IEM Cologne Major 2026 to lose in the Playoffs. The first half ended with a 6:6 score. Each team fought fiercely round by round, with no intention of giving up so easily. Moreover, they have been able to take on overtime. But, in the end, G2 lost the pace, and donk secured the last round with a 14:16 score.
No less tough, yet spectacular, was the match on Mirage. Similar to the situation on Dust II, Spirit lost the first three rounds, being on the CT side. Moreover, after securing four rounds in a row, G2 continued to win round by round, with an overall 8:4 score in the first half. In fact, we could see another unbelievable clutch in post-plant after switching sides, but HeavyGod lost connection to the server at the worst possible moment. As a result, the German team lost the pace for a while. Somehow, they have managed to return the previous luck to a 12:9 score. Still, Spirit reversed to overtime, which has continued up to quadruple overtime. Neither team wanted to give up. In the end, Team Spirit won 22:25.
Still, it could be better to rewatch some moments once again:
- A clutch from HeavyGod.
- A triple kill from donk.
- Going to a quadruple overtime on Mirage.
Team Falcons vs Team Vitality
The last teams for the Quarterfinals were Team Falcons and Team Vitality. They picked Anubis and Inferno, respectively, while Dust II was the decider. And, for sure, a huge part of the viewers were sure the French bees would destroy their competitors even after karrigan joined Falcons. But, as it turned out, they had destroyed Pick’ems.
The first match on Anubis was tough for Vitality on the T-side from the beginning. The French team couldn’t make up for anything up to the fifth round. Somehow, they managed to secure the next six rounds without a delay, yet still finished the first half with a 6:6 score. Moreover, they have continued to win even after switching sides, leading 6:10. But nothing is worse than making a mistake after another, especially in the Playoffs. As a result, Falcons won 13:11.
The same scenario took place on Inferno. While Falcons began on the CT side and secured the first two rounds, the French bees took the next three rounds, even after two consecutive force-buy rounds. At the same time, their mistakes led to a 6:6 score before switching sides. Moreover, even after securing 10 rounds, Falcons were able to make an 11:11 score while playing on the T-side. Still, Vitality won this map thanks to the outstanding performances of flameZ and ZywOo, who posted an 11:13 score.
On the third map, Dust II, Falcons started on the T-side. At first, it seems like neither team can find the right pace. While Vitality lost the first round, they could secure the second and even third rounds, and still lost the fourth. But then the French players began making one mistake after another. For example, they didn’t check all the angles and rushed without a strategy. Moreover, during the twenty-third round, karrigan fearlessly walked through the smoke to the back of Vitality on Mid Doors and secured a double kill without an issue. As a result, Falcons won 13:11.
The last in the Quarterfinals, but no less exciting highlights:
- A quad kill from kyousuke.
- A double kill from kyousuke in the chaos of Banana.
- An instant elimination from karrigan and TeSeS.
Interesting facts
Of course, we also must share with you a few moments that couldn’t be ignored. First of all, while it’s just Quarterfinals, the IEM Cologne Major 2026 set a record for the highest peak concurrent viewership in CS2 history. Based on Esports Charts, 2,044,763 viewers watched the match between Team Spirit and G2 simultaneously. Impressive numbers, but what should we expect during the Grand Final?
It’s also worth noting that on June 19, 2026, CS turned 27. We have been playing this game for over a quarter of a century. Can you believe it? And, for sure, the IEM Cologne Major 2026 is the best event to celebrate such a moment!
Also, it was YEKINDAR’s sixth (and successful) attempt to secure his first victory in the Playoffs. In fact, it’s also FURIA’s first success in the Playoffs in the last four years.
Moreover, Aurora Gaming has advanced to the Semifinals of a major for the first time in history. By the way, the secret to XANTARES’s successful performance at the IEM Cologne Major 2026 lies in the new mousepad he changed before the event. Based on the player’s interview, the old one wasn’t perfect already, but the new mousepad makes all his moves smooth and accurate. Undoubtedly, the results speak for themselves: K-D — 46-30, ADR — 112.8, and rating 3.0 — 1.49 in the match Aurora vs BetBoom.
Last but not least, there was a little accident with casters and streamers. In fact, in one moment, Ohnepixel, a well-known German streamer, tried to return or pass a vape to viewers by throwing it. But, in reality, he accidentally hit a caster from France. Users on social media called the moment “Wrong lineup.”
Conclusion
Undoubtedly, the Quarterfinals were unbelievable, exciting, and spectacular. With such a performance from top teams, the Grand Final of the IEM Cologne Major 2026 is even more unpredictable than ever. But, at least for now, we already know the answer to the main question of the last few months: Who can stop Vitality? But should we count only Falcons, or should we also include NaVi?
Want to win together with your favorite? Then check your luck and predict the results on Hellcase. The more correct choices you make, the more points you earn, and the more exciting prizes you can obtain by participating in CS2 Pick’em on Hellcase!
Tonya Predko is an esports personality, influencer, and content creator best known for her work with NAVI. With a strong background in hosting, interviews, and gaming content, she brings an insider’s view of the esports scene to every story. On the Hellcase blog, Tonya shares her take on CS2 culture, skins, tournaments, and the moments that make gaming communities so exciting.
