Esports has had its fair share of upsets, with underdog teams and players emerging victorious over more superior opponents. Some of the biggest upsets in esports history include the Alliance’s miraculous run in The International 2013, where they defeated Natus Vincere in the finals, and CDEC Gaming’s surprise victory in The International 2015, where they swept Team Secret. In Super Smash Bros. Melee’s EVO 2004 tournament, Daigo Umehara pulled off a stunning comeback against American player Justin “Plup” McGrath. OG’s incredible comeback in The International 2018 also stands as one of the biggest upsets in esports history. These upsets create unforgettable moments in the esports world.
Biggest Upsets in Esports History: When the Underdog Comes Out on Top
Introduction
Esports, just like any traditional sports, has its fair share of upsets. These are the matches where the underdogs come out on top, and their victory creates an unforgettable moment. It can range from a team defeating a more superior opponent, a player overcoming a massive obstacle, or a team coming back from an almost impossible deficit to win. In this article, we will take a look at some of the biggest upsets in esports history that shocked the world.
The Miracle Run of the Alliance in TI3
The International 2013 (TI3) was one of the biggest and most significant Dota 2 tournaments in history. It was the first tournament to feature a massive prize pool of over $2 million, and the world was on the brink of seeing a repeat champion in either Natus Vincere or Invictus Gaming. However, that all changed when the Alliance came along. The Alliance was an underdog team that nobody expected to win, yet they made a miracle run through the tournament. They won every single game in the playoffs, and they went on to defeat Natus Vincere in a mind-blowing best-of-five finals. Though the victory was unexpected, the Alliance proved they were one of the best in the world.
CDEC Gaming’s Surprise Victory in TI5
The International 2015 was another Dota 2 tournament that witnessed a significant upset. The Chinese team CDEC Gaming was not even considered a contender for the title, as they were initially a wildcard team that had to fight their way to the main stage. However, CDEC Gaming proved everyone wrong as they dominated the playoffs with a surprise run. They defeated the likes of LGD Gaming, Evil Geniuses, and Vici Gaming to reach the grand finals, where they met against the highly-favored Team Secret. CDEC Gaming pulled off an incredible upset, sweeping Team Secret in the best-of-five finals to clinch the championship.
Smash Bros. Melee’s EVO Moment 37
Esports is not limited to just team-based games. Fighting games have always been a significant part of gaming events, and the Super Smash Bros. series is one of the most popular fighting games out there. EVO Moment 37 occurred during the finals of EVO 2004, a Super Smash Bros. Melee tournament. Everyone expected the American player Justin “Plup” McGrath to defeat the legendary Daigo Umehara of Japan. However, in one of the most memorable moments in gaming history, Daigo pulled off a stunning comeback, executing a series of perfect parries to snatch victory from almost certain defeat.
OG’s Comeback in TI8
The International 2018 (TI8) was one of the most exciting Dota 2 tournaments in history, thanks to the incredible comeback of OG. OG was a team that nobody expected to win, as they were not even considered a top 5 team leading up to the tournament. However, throughout the tournament, they proved everyone wrong as they dominated the playoffs with their unorthodox playstyle. They were significant underdogs leading into the grand finals against the Chinese powerhouse PSG.LGD. However, OG staged an incredible comeback, dropping the first two games in the series. Still, they won the next three games in decisive fashion, becoming the first team in Dota 2 history to come back from a 2-0 deficit in the grand finals to win the tournament.
Conclusion
Upsets are a significant part of esports, the moments that make the underdog team or player’s victory even sweeter. Whether it’s through sheer skill, unpredictable gameplay, or a moment of brilliance, these upsets create unforgettable moments in esports history. From the Miracle Run of the Alliance to the Comeback of OG, these upsets will live on as one of the most significant achievements in the esports world.