Paper Rex beat G2 to become first Champions Shanghai playoff team

Paper Rex became the first team to qualify for the VALORANT Champions 2026 playoffs after defeating G2 Esports 2:1 in the Group C winners' match.

G2 took the opening map, but Paper Rex responded on Haven before closing the series on Lotus.

G2 steal Paper Rex 's Split pick

Split opened as an even contest, with the teams tied 6:6 at halftime.

Paper Rex then won three straight rounds to move ahead 9:6, but G2 completely flipped the map from there.

The Americas side won seven consecutive rounds to close Split 13:9.

trent led G2 with a 19/13/7 statline, while babybay also recorded 19 kills.

Paper Rex hold off comeback on Haven

Paper Rex responded immediately on G2's map pick.

PRX won the opening seven rounds before G2 recovered to cut the halftime deficit to 4:8.

G2 continued their comeback after the break and eventually tied the map at 11:11, but Paper Rex secured the final two rounds to win Haven 13:11.

Jinggg led PRX with 22 kills.

d4v41 closes Lotus

The deciding map was tied 6:6 at halftime.

Paper Rex then took control after the side switch, moving ahead 8:6 before building a 12:7 advantage.

G2 managed two more rounds, but PRX closed Lotus 13:9.

d4v41 finished the decider with a 20/13/2 statline.

Paper Rex finish Group C with a 2–0 record and advance directly to the playoffs.

G2 drop into the decider match, where they will face the winner of TYLOO against Team Liquid .

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