T1 Sweep HLE And Eliminate Them From Esports World Cup
The Esports World Cup 2026 League of Legends tournament saw a major upset when defending world champions T1 delivered a commanding 2-0 sweep against Hanwha Life Esports (HLE), advancing to the top four. Despite HLE being heavily favored at 39% on Polymarket following their LCK title and MSI championship, T1 showcased their strongest performance in recent times to secure revenge from the LCK Road to MSI final. The result was particularly striking given T1’s inconsistent form heading into the tournament, including losses to G2 at MSI. This victory positions T1 closer to claiming the Esports World Cup trophy to add to their prestigious collection.
The tournament’s knockout stages have delivered several shocking results beyond T1’s victory. Karmine Corp became the sole Western representative to advance, defeating AG.AL in a 2-1 thriller. Meanwhile, DPlus Kia pulled off a spectacular comeback to eliminate Bilibili Gaming 2-1 in another monumental upset.
These results have dramatically reshaped the tournament landscape. Both BLG, the First Stand champions, and HLE, the recent MSI winners, have been eliminated from the $2 million competition. What once appeared to be a predictable tournament with clear favorites has become wide open, with the championship race now genuinely competitive heading into this weekend’s top-four conclusion.