IEM Dallas Day 1 Updates

With the Paris Major closed off after crowning Vitality the final CS:GO Major winner, it's time to move on to the next S-tier event: IEM Dallas. Some of the best teams in the world are here to compete, and with four North American teams in attendance, it's time to see what our region is made of.

The event will run this entire week, with the playoff portion taking place in an arena on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. But before we get too ahead of ourselves. we must determine the playoff teams. For that, we have the group stage. No teams will be eliminated or qualified on the first day, but with BO1s galore, anything is possible.

◷ 11:30PM - 9z complete upset over fnatic

With a decisive 16-9 score line on Ancient, the mixed South American lineup removed the international team from Dallas, and lived to see another day themselves. They will face OG in the lower bracket on Tuesday, the second day of IEM Dallas 2023.

With that, the first day of IEM Dallas is complete.

9z 2-1 fnatic

◷ 10:01PM - 9z strike first blood against fnatic

9z squeaked by with a win on their map pick of Nuke off the back of a Santino "try" Rigal 30-bomb. Heading to Overpass, 9z will look to get the series done in two maps.

Nuke: 9z 16-14 fnatic

◷ 05:29PM - FURIA bury Nouns in elimination series

Nouns' run at IEM Dallas is officially over after dropping the series 0-2 to FURIA. Inferno went by fast, for Nouns only mounted four rounds before losing their map pick. On to Anubis, it went even smoother for FURIA, as they wiped out Nouns 16-3 to send them home from IEM Dallas.

Inferno: FURIA 16-4 Nouns
Anubis: FURIA 16-3 Nouns

◷ 05:50PM - Americas 0-6 in Dallas

Unfortunately for us here, every Americas roster lost their opening BO1 today, so they're all headed to their respective groups' lower-brackets. But hey, at least Cloud9 as a North American organization managed to stomp their opening match versus Grayhound 16-2. Boston Major anyone? Ryan's not here right now, but we're sure he still remembers!

◷ 05:22PM - Liquid unable to seal the deal in overtime

After an arduous battle, Liquid has fallen against long-time rivals of Astralis with a 17-19 scoreline. Liquid's loss on home turf has cemented an 0-6 record for teams from the Americas so far in Dallas, with FURIA, 9z, Nouns, Complexity, and Evil Geniuses also losing earlier in the day.

Liquid 17-19 Astralis

◷ 05:10PM - OVERTIME FOR LIQUID

Almost disaster for Liquid, but it's time for overtime!! LET'S GO LIQUID!

Liquid 15-15 Astralis

◷ 05:05PM - NAF shuts down dev1ce attempt to end it early

Liquid have been coming back and a long push from dev1ce almost cuts it short with two quick P250 kills, however, NAF managed top stop it.

Liquid 14-15 Astralis

◷ 05:00PM - Liquid tensions rise as Astralis on 14

Things are looking quite dire in the Liquid camp, with EliGE looking quite worried on-stream. At least for now, NAF managed to anticipate a flank and keep Liquid in the game. Also, dev1ce sends EliGE flying.

Liquid 11-14 Astralis

◷ 04:40PM - Astralis claw back a half-time lead

Despite Liquid opening up the half 6-0, things took a turn for the worse for the American side after that. Three rounds lost to Astralis, taking one final round on their CT-side, Liquid were 7-3. Flailing for the rest of the half, no more rounds were secured by them, giving Astralis an 8-7 half-time lead.

Liquid 7-8 Astralis

◷ 04:16PM - Evil Geniuses finally falter to FaZe

Although Evil Geniuses were able to secure overtime after making their way back from being down 10-15, the American side was unable to budge the Europeans on their T-side, going 0-3 in the first half of OT. Although their defense was admirable, it was not enough to send the game to double overtime, booking EG a ticket to the lower bracket.

FaZe 19-17 Evil Geniuses

◷ 04:10PM - Liquid take early lead on Astralis

In the first three rounds, Liquid have won the pistol, cleaned up with a quick MP9 on the B sewers of Overpass, and even pulled off a miracle third round retake.

Liquid 3-0 Astralis

◷ 04:00PM - Evil Geniuses force overtime against FaZe

Evil Geniuses look like a brand new team, as they clawed their way back from a 15-10 deficit on Mirage to secure overtime against the international monoliths of FaZe. Will they be able to close it out in overtime?

FaZe 15-15 Evil Geniuses

◷ 03:41PM - Complexity fall to Lower Bracket

Complexity looked to be closing the gap on ENCE on the second half but a loss on a ant-eco took away any hopes of a comeback with the team eventually losing 16-7.

ENCE 16-7 Complexity

◷ 03:39PM - regali "I really hope to play for an international team"

OG's stand-in AWPer Iulian "regali" Harjău shone against fnatic with a 1.15 rating and in his interview with Dust2.us after the match the Romanian provided some insight into his future plans. You can watch the full interview in the article below.

◷ 03:31PM - EG within touching distance of FaZe

It has not been a great start to IEM Dallas for the Americas but maybe EG can change that by causing a shock upset against FaZe, the North American side are just one round behind heading into the second half.

FaZe 8-7 Evil Geniuses - Stream B

◷ 03:18PM - Complexity down at the half

The Dallas Cowboy's backed organization were dealt a tough draw facing ENCE in their first game and so far the NA side has found little success, managing just five rounds on their CT Side on Nuke.

ENCE 10-5 Complexity - Stream A

◷ 02:42PM - Finally, Complexity and EG are online!

After a small delay because Heroic took their time to beat 9z, the games are starting 15 minutes after the scheduled time, no worrying signs just yet.

ENCE vs Complexity - Stream A
FaZe vs Evil Geniuses - Stream B

◷ 02:35PM - Take a break from the games, listen to what cynic had to say after Nouns' game

Because Dust2.us has two members in Dallas, watching the action closely, there already is an interview with the 23-year-old rifler from Nouns. You can read and listen to it here:

◷ 02:23PM - Complexity and EG are up next

While MOUZ made quick work of fnatic, Heroic are trying to make even quicker work of 9z, but the South Americans are fighting back. In the nearby booths, Complexity and EG are getting ready to enter the server against ENCE and FaZe, respectively. Both matches are going to be tough for NA, but the hope lies within Johnny "JT" Theodosiou's men. The IGL is reunited with his fellow countryman and former Extra Salt member Aran "Sonic" Groesbeek, as Håkon "hallzerk" Fjærli ran into visa problems.

Heroic 12-7 9z
fnatic 9-16 MOUZ
ENCE vs Complexity - Stream A
FaZe vs Evil Geniuses - Stream B

◷ 01:20PM - FURIA run out of gas

It was a valiant effort, but the Brazilians only managed to get to 14 after being down 11-4 at the half. OG was able to keep the lead at all times, despite FURIA coming close, and ultimately finished the map with a 16-14 win. Now, FURIA will face Nouns later today.

Nouns 5-16 G2
FURIA 14-16 OG

◷ 12:50PM - Nouns fall to G2

Despite some good rounds and a somewhat good showing from some individuals, Nouns weren't able to make it close against G2, as the Europeans took the win with a 16-5 victory. Meanwhile, FURIA are hoping to start a comeback against OG.

Nouns 5-16 G2 - Stream A
FURIA 6-11 OG - Stream B

◷ 12:34PM - Not looking good for Nouns and FURIA

Both American teams are struggling to get going on the opener match. Nouns are expected to struggle against G2, but FURIA's situation is a bit surprising. Alas, the two teams are playing on the T-side, and the hope is that they can come back on the CT-side.

Nouns 4-11 G2 - Stream A
FURIA 4-11 OG - Stream B

◷ 12:00PM - Game time, baby!

Our first matches of the day are Nouns taking on G2 on the A stream, and FURIA and OG duking it out on the B stream. The winners will sit just one BO3 from playoffs, while the losers will end up just one BO3 series away from going home.

Nouns vs G2 - Stream A
FURIA vs OG - Stream B

◷ 11:45AM - 15 minutes until games start in Texas

A day full of Best-of-1s and four Best-of-3s to open IEM Dallas is the American Dream! Today, all teams will be playing at least three maps, which means plenty of NA CS to be seen. The opening BO1s are:

Nouns vs G2
FURIA vs OG
Heroic vs 9z
fnatic vs MOUZ
FaZe vs Evil Geniuses
ENCE vs Complexity
Liquid vs Astralis
Cloud9 vs Grayhound