The two-year silence is finally broken. In a high-stakes quarter-final clash at the Esports World Cup 2026, Team Spirit finally conquered their nemesis, Team Vitality, putting an end to a painful six-match losing streak that had haunted them since late 2024.
The series was a rollercoaster. Spirit drew first blood on Anubis with a 13-11 victory, but the momentum shifted on Nuke. In a chaotic overtime, a stray HE grenade from Boris "magixx" Vorobiev accidentally took out his own teammate, Danil "donk" Kryshkovets, handing Vitality a 16-14 map win and forcing a decider. Rather than spiraling, Spirit responded with a clinical 13-3 demolition on Mirage, proving they have evolved beyond the mental blocks of the past.
According to magixx, the key to this victory wasn't just raw aim—it was the psychological weight resting on the French squad. "I feel like the pressure got to them," magixx explained, referencing comments from Dan "apEX" Madesclaire regarding the difficulty of playing in front of a home crowd. Spirit capitalized on that tension, staying composed while the favorites faltered under the expectations of the Parisian fans.
The Nuke incident itself became a moment of levity rather than a turning point. "I just went back to our practice room and I told S0tF1k that, 'Did you see the reason why I'm dropping my HEs for outside players on Nuke?'" magixx joked, brushing off the friendly fire.
This result is a massive signal for the current competitive meta. With Vitality facing roster uncertainty as key players prepare for personal milestones, and Spirit now marching into the semi-finals to face Legacy, the tournament landscape is shifting rapidly. Spirit has proven they can dismantle the best when the stakes are at their highest.
For more updates on the bracket and upcoming matches, check out our MyEsports predictions.