FURIA finally found their level. The Brazilian side opened PGL Astana 2026 with a 2-0 demolition of Monte on 9 May — back-to-back 13-3 scorelines that comprehensively reset the conversation around their 2026 form after a humiliating 7-8 finish at BLAST Rivals last week.
Two demolition halves, one statement
13-3 twice. That’s not a series — that’s a complete tactical and individual mismatch sustained across two maps. molodoy (1.20 rating, 1.33 K/D into the event) and KSCERATO (1.19) carried the fragging, YEKINDAR (1.14) anchored the structural rounds, and Monte never had the economy to mount a competitive half. Two pistols won, two anti-ecos converted, two run-out demolitions on the back end.
The H2H mattered going in — and got reset
FURIA entered carrying a 1-3 head-to-head deficit against Monte from the earlier 2026 calendar — Monte had beaten them in three of four meetings, including at IEM Rio’s earlier rounds. The two 13-3 maps don’t just close the H2H gap to 2-3; they reset the matchup-specific scouting tape Monte had been building. Whatever vetoes and structures Monte planned for, FURIA had a sharper answer.
The recovery narrative
YEKINDAR’s BLAST Rivals quote — ‘No time to be sad, we work’ — framed the recovery as a long process. Two 13-3 halves on the opening day of the next event compress that timeline considerably. Monte come in with their CCT Global Finals trophy still warm but suddenly look every bit a Tier-2 side caught at a Tier-1 stop. FURIA advance to the 1-0 bracket; Monte drop to 0-1 with a heavy structural deficit to make up.
