LYON's remarkable MSI 2026 run ended by HLE in instant-classic 5-game series

Hanwha Life Esports has narrowly defeated LYON in a full five-game series that saw both teams pushed to the limit. In a NA versus Korea thriller, HLE edged out LYON in the final game, defeating LYON 3-2.

HLE conquer LYON 3-2 as MSI semifinal goes the distance

In a jungler-focused game, two of the very best in the world, Kacper "Inspired" Słoma and Seo "Kanavi" Jin-hyeok, clashing head-to-head. Game one, Kanavi’s Jarvan got the best of LYON, only for Inspired to shoot back in game two on Lee Sin. Pushed to a match point, it was HLE who came out on top though.

With the victory, LYON ends a fantastic run at MSI 2023, with a third-place finish. The team travels to EWC in Paris in just a few days. HLE will head to the finals to face Bilibili gaming with the victor raising the MSI 2026 trophy.

LYON’s defeat of G2 Esports at MSI 2026 helps erase the myth of EU dominance

Yesterday’s MSI 2026 playoffs saw LYON humble the European powerhouse G2 Esports in a 3-0 demolition, eliminating Caps and company from one of just three international events on the League of Legends calendar.

The defeat, and subsequent analysis of the thorough defeat has cast doubts on the long-held assumption that it would be the European region that would be able to stop the onslaught of Chinese and Korean teams that more often than not raise the trophy at competitive LoL events.

But headed by Kacper "Inspired" Słoma, and his incredible jungle performance, LYON showed that it was rightfully NA who would carry the torch for western League of Legends for the rest of MSI.