Riyadh Masters Group Stage Report: XG Draws with Liquid in a Hard-Fought Tie

Match Overview

In the first game, Liquid dominated the laning phase with high-pressure tactics. XG’s mid and top lanes suffered significant disadvantages but managed to keep the game alive with the rapid development of their Phantom Assassin, preserving hopes for a comeback. However, as the game progressed into the late stages, Liquid made few mistakes and capitalized on their gold lead to secure a steady victory.

In the second game, it was XG that gained an advantage across all three lanes, with both Beastmaster and Troll Warlord acquiring dual Ethereal Blades at 13 minutes, signaling a crushing momentum. XG easily claimed victory after just over 20 minutes of gameplay.

Game One

XG in Radiant, Team Liquid in Dire

Lane assignments: In the mid lane, XG’s Light Mage faced off against Liquid’s Ember Spirit. At the top lane, Beastmaster and Rubick were up against Earthshaker and support Enigma. At the bottom lane, Treant Protector supported Phantom Assassin against Squirrel and Sand King.

During the laning phase, XG’s mid and top lanes were under pressure, while only Phantom Assassin had good development, keeping pace with the top tier in terms of gold. XG’s Beastmaster at the top lane received particular attention, with Ember Spirit and Sand King frequently ganking him.

At 11 minutes, Ember Spirit led another gank at the top lane, taking down Beastmaster and Light Mage who came to assist. At 13 minutes, Liquid once again invaded the tri-jungle area collectively, securing kills on Rubick and Light Mage, directly widening the gold difference to 6K. Afterward, Liquid maintained control over the tri-jungle, suppressing XG. At 15 minutes, XG organized a counterattack, with Phantom Assassin, who had been farming solo and leading the gold count, participating in the kill of Enigma, finally forcing Liquid to retreat.

At 18 minutes, XG attempted to gank Ember Spirit in the mid lane but fell into Earthshaker’s ambush. He stunned multiple heroes and, in the follow-up chase, took down Beastmaster and both supports.

At 21 minutes, after capturing Beastmaster, Liquid secured the Roshan and gave the Aegis to Enigma. Following this, Liquid continued to apply pressure, although they did not achieve any decisive results, the gold difference steadily increased to 9K.

At 29 minutes, even though the Aegis had worn off, Liquid chose to fog out and caught Light Mage and Rubick in the mid lane, instantly killing both. XG scattered to retreat, but Liquid chased them onto the high ground and in the fight on the high ground, Enigma traded his life for Phantom Assassin, completing the ace against XG.

At 33 minutes, after capturing Light Mage and Treant Protector, Liquid controlled the second Roshan, giving the Aegis to Enigma once again. During the Aegis duration, both teams were relatively quiet. Liquid still didn’t choose to push aggressively onto the high ground but continued to suppress all three lanes. The gold difference between the two teams further widened to 20K. After the Aegis wore off, both teams maintained peaceful farming for a long time, patiently waiting for the third Roshan.

At 45 minutes, the third Roshan respawned, XG occupied the top lane early, but Earthshaker’s spirit followed closely behind the Roshan to scout vision. XG had to abandon the attempt to forcefully take the Roshan. At this moment, Ember Spirit and Enigma led a charge straight into the backline, killing both supports. Phantom Assassin directly phased into the crowd aiming to kill Enigma, but with equipment buffs, Enigma’s BKB and Satanic stood firm in the front line, and Phantom Assassin couldn’t handle four enemies alone and perished. Liquid pursued and pushed onto the high ground, destroying the mid and top lanes, then turned around to control the Roshan. The gold lead reached 33K, virtually sealing the win.

At 51 minutes, Liquid pushed onto the high ground with the Aegis and ended the match with a dominant team fight.

Game Two

XG in Radiant, Team Liquid in Dire

Lane assignments: In the mid lane, XG’s Tidehunter faced off against Liquid’s Beastmaster. At the top lane, Dragon Knight and Beastmaster were against Sven supporting Antimage. At the bottom lane, Earthshaker supported Troll Warlord against Techies and Bomber.

During the laning phase, XG performed exceptionally well, gaining some advantages in all three lanes, completely suppressing their opponents in the mid and top lanes.

At 9 minutes, Sven and Beastmaster invaded the tri-jungle area and caught Dragon Knight, but XG quickly responded, leaving Beastmaster dead. Immediately afterward, Liquid collectively pressured the bottom lane, invading the jungle area. After exchanging skills in a chaotic fight, they stopped when only Earthshaker fell.

At 13 minutes, Beastmaster, who had acquired the Ethereal Blade, directly coordinated with Troll Warlord to control the Roshan, with Beastmaster obtaining the Aegis with his Blink Dagger. At 15 minutes, Beastmaster began leading his teammates to advance and apply pressure, taking down the bottom tower and invading the tri-jungle area. Liquid returned to defend and used the high ground’s narrow entrance to force back everyone with illusions. Due to their disorganized formation, XG had to retreat, leaving Beastmaster to die with the Aegis.

However, XG maintained absolute dominance, achieving solo kills on Bomber and Beastmaster on the top and bottom lanes respectively, advancing collectively and applying pressure.

At 17 minutes, Liquid moved to take down the second tower in the top lane and killed Dragon Knight. In the ensuing retreat and tug-of-war, Liquid pursued, with Antimage charging into the crowd first but getting instantly focused down by crowd control. Liquid’s formation was thrown into chaos, and they suffered a crushing defeat. XG counterattacked, chasing onto the high ground, picking off Liquid one by one, and achieved an ace, with the gold difference reaching 11K.

At 21 minutes, XG caught Techies near the exp rune point. Although Liquid’s support arrived one after another, the massive gold gap left them with no output capability. XG easily achieved another ace against Liquid, pushing onto the high ground and breaking through the bottom lane.

At 23 minutes, after being wiped out in a last-ditch effort on the top lane, Liquid directly conceded defeat with a GG.