Natus Vincere dismantled a restructured FaZe Clan 2-0 at BLAST Rivals 2026, punching their ticket to the playoffs with a clinical display against their struggling opponents.
The Ukrainian powerhouse exploited FaZe’s transitional chaos perfectly. This marked FaZe’s debut with their revamped setup following Finn “karrigan” Andersen’s exit and Russel Van Dulken’s promotion to in-game leader.
Dominant Display Across Two Maps
NAVI’s superiority was evident from the opening rounds on Anubis. They raced to a commanding 11-1 advantage by halftime before wrapping up the map 13-7. Ancient proved more challenging initially, with FaZe building a 10-5 cushion, but NAVI’s experience shone through as they clawed back to complete the sweep.
The result highlighted the gulf between a settled championship side and a team still finding its identity under new leadership.
Makazze’s Star Turn Continues
Drin “makazze” Shaqiri delivered another masterclass performance that underlined his rapid ascension in the NAVI ranks. The young rifler posted exceptional numbers: 42 eliminations, 99.2 average damage per round, and a commanding 1.46 rating across both maps.
Captain Aleksi “Aleksib” Virolainen praised his teammate’s consistency: “He’s playing tremendous, no matter if it’s the group stage or the playoffs.”
Makazze’s emergence as a reliable star has transformed NAVI’s attacking dynamics and given them another weapon alongside their established talents.
FaZe’s Rocky Transition Period
FaZe entered this tournament acknowledging their underdog status following karrigan’s departure. Before leaving, the Danish tactician reflected on the team’s struggles: “With these performances, it’s not good enough… I just want FaZe back at the top, with or without me.”
Russel “Twistzz” Van Dulken described the organisational changes as refreshing but tempered expectations given their limited preparation time. “It’s a breath of fresh air… a new captain and a new coach,” he said, whilst noting the squad had only one week of practice with stand-in Ryan Aubry.
The appointment of Niclas Krumhorn as head coach represents another significant shift as FaZe attempt to rebuild their competitive foundation.
Championship Momentum Building
This victory extends NAVI’s impressive run following their ESL Pro League Season 23 triumph. With Aleksib providing tactical stability and makazze emerging as a genuine star, they appear well-positioned for another deep tournament run.
FaZe now face an uphill battle in Group B alongside FURIA and GamerLegion, needing to find quick solutions to their coordination issues if they hope to advance from the group stage.
