The curse lives on: Team Liquid crash out of the group stage for a sixth straight time as G2 knock them out of Champions

Saturday's deciders at Valorant Champions in Shanghai delivered an elimination that has become a running joke in the community. G2 Esports beat Team Liquid 2-0, ending the European side's run as they fell in the group stage of an international event for the sixth consecutive time, each time with the same one-win, two-loss record. VLR.gg called the streak the '1-2 curse.'

Liquid started well on Split, their own map pick, and led 7-5 at the half, but G2 turned it around with a crushing second half fueled by clutches from trent and valyn. On Abyss, G2's pick, the North Americans took control again and closed out the series, with trent singled out as the standout performer.

In the day's other decider, Nongshim RedForce beat Karmine Corp 2-1 in the first-ever meeting between the two teams. KC took Sunset 13-9, but the Korean side dominated the next two maps behind a red-hot Dambi. The group stage wraps up on Sunday (Oct. 4), with LOUD vs. Global Esports and FUT vs. T1 deciding the final playoff spots.