The pressure was palpable in Allen, Texas, as Karmine Corp faced a do-or-die elimination match against CTBC Flying Oyster in Round 4 of the Worlds 2026 Swiss Stage. In a series where the loser would pack their bags, the LEC representatives delivered a clinical 2-0 sweep to keep their tournament run alive.
With this result, Karmine Corp moves to a 2-2 record, forcing a high-stakes decider match on Saturday to determine their fate in the knockout stage. For CTBC Flying Oyster, the loss marks the end of their Worlds 2026 journey and, more significantly, the final exit for the LCP region.
The series itself showcased a different side of the French organization. Game 1 was a statement of intent, with KC dismantling their opponents in a 28-minute masterclass that ended 18-3 in kills. While Game 2 proved more grueling—stretching to 37 minutes—the composure shown by the roster of Canna, Yike, Busio, Caliste, and Kyeahoo proved sufficient to close out the series and avoid a premature exit.
Coming into this match, both teams were desperate to snap a two-round slump. Karmine Corp had struggled since their opening victory over Anyone's Legend, falling to LYON and Bilibili Gaming. Meanwhile, CTBC Flying Oyster had carried the hopes of the LCP alone after a promising win against Team Liquid, only to falter against Movistar KOI and T1.
For those following the matches, this victory provides a much-needed morale boost for the KC squad. They now stand one series away from the quarter-finals, a testament to their resilience after a rocky start to the Swiss Stage. As the tournament enters its final phases, keep an eye on our MyEsports predictions to see how the remaining contenders shape up for the Worlds 2026 knockout bracket.