MSI 2021: DetonatioN FocusMe stuns North America’s Cloud9

Jordan Marney

Jordan Marney

DetonatioN FocusMe put on a clinic against Cloud9 to send North American fans into meltdown. Cloud9 will now be feeling the pressure with the LCS champs starting 0-2 in Group C.

DetonatioN FocusMe stunned the League of Legends community by taking down Cloud9. The MSI debutants now sits at an 0-2 record. Despite Cloud9 being the overwhelming favorites, DFM put on an impressive display. Cloud9 fans could excuse their side losing to Damwon KIA in the opening game, but now this loss will crank up the heat on their Rumble Stage hopes. Here is how the drafts panned out for both teams:

Blaber loses his mind

In North America Blaber has been known historically as the player who can win you the game early on but also lose you the game early on through his instinctive aggression. This has been a trait of his throughout his young career, but in the 2021 spring split, Blaber had proven he is able to channel his aggression and use it when it matters most. This time, however, it was not for the good of the team. Blaber attempted to invade Steals top side quadrant, after it had failed, Blaber was down a level. Despite this, Blaber opted into a terrible trade that saw him lose his flash and his life for the sake of a Scuttle Crab.

Cloud9 forced a scrappy mid-game

Similar to their opening match against Damwon, Cloud9 was able to stack multiple drakes. And just like against Damwon, DFM was able to pick the LCS side apart with a stronger team fighting composition. Steal was able to utilize his lead over Blaber to perfection, setting up multiple engages that picked Cloud9 apart.

DetonatioN FocusMe was able to completely nullify the poke composition that Cloud9 had drafted. With C9 being pushed in across multiple lanes, the mid-game became a very scrappy affair. DFM forced a fight around the 25th-minute mark which resulted in Cloud9 securing their third dragon and showing signs of life.

DFM smashes the hopes of NA

While it looked like Cloud9 may be able to sneak away a victory, it was not to be. DFM did a great job pouncing on the perfect opportunity. Steal with his Turbo Chemtank at the ready charged down mid-lane and was able to pick off Zven. This resulted in a free Baron for DetonatioN FocusMe who was now in a great position to close out the game.

C9 went for a last-ditch attempt at the mountain dragon to try and obtain the mountain soul. With the Baron buff on, DFM was confident they could force a fight in the river that would see them win the game there and then. That is exactly what happened, Evi found a monstrous three-man Gnar ultimate to win them the fight. DMF was able to push through to the nexus and send Cloud9 down to last place in Group C.

The 2021 Mid-Season Invitational returns tomorrow with the Unicorns of Love taking on Royal Never Give Up. Cloud9 will have to turn it around fast as they play Gillette Infinity Esports.

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