RESULTS: Team Liquid Extend Their Lead over Cloud9 in Quarterfinals Duel

Team Liquid may not have had the cleanest game, but they certainly turned up the heat when it counted, taking down Cloud9 to set up match point in this quarterfinal battle. Here’s a brief breakdown of the match.

Cloud9 made an ambitious start with a gank on the top lane, however a minor misplay ended up costing them greatly, as Team Liquid claim two kills in the aftermath. The teams again clash, this time in the jungle, resulting in another kill for Team Liquid as they extend their lead. As they attempt to capitalise on their advantage, a dive in the bot lane turns sour with Cloud9 responding quickly enough to pick up two kills of their own. Trying again in the top lane results in a kill for Team Liquid, before Cloud9 manages to run them down and return the favour.

Both teams participate in a minor skirmish in the bot lane, but in the end both pull back relatively unscathed as Team Liquid secure their first Dragon. Cloud9 do secure the first turret of the game in the bot lane, though Team Liquid respond quickly with the Rift Herald in the top lane to take down a turret of their own. As Cloud9 continue to pressure the bot lane, Liquid catch another kill with a roaming gank before both teams look towards the top side and potential Baron control.

Cloud9 continue to pressure the top side, trading the turret there for the Dragon on the bot side before both teams resume their battle for vision control over Baron. As Liquid attempt to catch out the bot lane duo of Cloud9, they find themselves biting off more than they can chew, losing a member before Cloud9 further push in the mid lane. As both teams re-engage, Liquid are able to eventually claim two more kills for themselves.

Cloud9 make an ambitious gank in the top lane, but barely escape with their lives as Liquid respond in force. In the aftermath, Liquid manage to secure their third Dragon of the match before returning to the eternal vision battle around Baron. After catching out Cloud9 in the river, Liquid secure a kill and rush down the Baron. The resulting team fight costs Cloud9 two more kills before Liquid start pushing down the mid lane to destroy the inhibitor. Liquid rotate to the bot lane to continue applying pressure, taking down two more kills before attacking the nexus directly, ending the game.

Team Liquid have claimed victory in the second match of this Quarterfinal series, taking just over 32 minutes to do so. While both teams had their time in the lead, Team Liquid ultimately prevailed after banking a 4.7k gold lead over Cloud9. For more action from this series, check out Team Liquid's victory in game one, and for more on the full playoffs schedule, check out the Official Schedule page, here.