The pressure ramps up at the Esports World Cup as magic and 3DMAX meet in Group D’s lower bracket. With the tournament’s double-elimination format, this is a win-or-go-home series. The loser heads straight for the exit, while the winner keeps their hopes of a playoff run alive. Neither team managed to get off to the start they wanted.

Magic opened their campaign against The MongolZ racing into a 4-0 lead before losing control of the game. The Mongolian side responded with thirteen of the next sixteen rounds to secure a comfortable 13-7 victory, leaving magic with little time to recover before another elimination match.

3DMAX also suffered a defeat, but the context was very different. The French side pushed NAVI much harder than the final result might suggest. Despite falling short, they looked competitive against one of the strongest teams in the tournament and once again showed they can match top opposition for long stretches.

Magic have struggled against stronger opposition

Magic have won three of their last five matches, but their recent results have followed a familiar pattern. They’ve generally taken care of opponents around their own level, yet they’ve found it far more difficult when facing stronger teams. Their loss to The MongolZ continued that trend. The fast start was promising, but once momentum shifted they struggled to find answers.

Another concern for magic is that they have already lost to 3DMAX recently. The French side came out on top when the teams met at BLAST Bounty Season 2, giving them both the psychological edge and valuable insight into the matchup.

3DMAX have shown they can compete

Results don’t always tell the full story. Before losing to NAVI, 3DMAX pushed MOUZ to the limit in the quarter-finals of their previous event. It was a match many felt could have gone either way, and MOUZ eventually went on to lift the trophy.

That performance reinforced the idea that 3DMAX remain capable of challenging high-level opponents even if the wins haven’t always followed.

Against NAVI they once again looked organised and competitive for long periods. While they ultimately fell short, the level they produced should give them confidence heading into a series against a team ranked below NAVI and one they’ve already beaten in recent weeks.

Recent history favours 3DMAX

There isn’t a huge gap between these teams, which is why a competitive series wouldn’t be a surprise. However, 3DMAX arrive with stronger performances against tougher opposition, and they’ve already shown they know how to beat this magic lineup. That combination is difficult to ignore in an elimination match where experience and composure often become decisive.

Verdict

This should be closer than the rankings alone suggest, but 3DMAX have consistently looked more convincing against stronger opposition. Their recent meeting also ended in a victory for the French side, and despite the loss to NAVI, they showed enough to suggest their level remains higher than magic’s.

With both teams fighting to stay alive, expect a competitive series, but 3DMAX should have the edge when it matters most.

Tip

3DMAX to Win