Worlds 2022 Play-In Group Stage: Day 1 Recap

Worlds 2022 has finally kicked off with the Day 1 of Play-In games.

Coming into the Play-In Groups for Worlds 2022, there were many questions in the air. Which teams would be in form? Would Fnatic be able to get their full rosters in? We did not even know what the meta would look like. And on top of this, there were several players who had the play the games isolated due to testing positive for Covid before the games, which also delayed the games. Despite this, the audience was treated to a great Day 1 consisting of eight entertaining games.

#Worlds2022 Update: pic.twitter.com/CQ9hGi8O48

— LoL Esports (@lolesports) September 29, 2022

You can learn more about the Worlds 2022 Play-In schedule here.

Isurus vs MAD Lions (Group B)

The first game of Worlds 2022 was expected to be a quick one as the LEC fourth seed faced the champions of LLA. And despite a sub-one-minute first blood and a very strong start for MAD, the game did not end up being very close. MAD controlled the early game objectives well, but made some questionable decisions around the Baron in mid game, giving Isurus a way back into the game. With Isurus jungler Grell finding multiple side lane kills, the game looked contested for a minute but MAD took the control back thanks to the playmaking of Armut and Elyoya.

• Teams: ISG 0 – 1 MAD
• Time: 37:53
• Kills: 12 – 22
• Turrets: 5 – 10
• Gold: 63.3k – 76k
• Dragons: 2 – 2
• Barons: 0 – 3

Fnatic vs Evil Geniuses (Group A)

The first battle between EU and NA, albeit with subs, came with great hype behind it. And despite EG’s good start in the bot lane with their pressure, the game was not close after Fnatic got their first kill. The bot lane of Upset/Rhuckz did a good job of taking advantage of the mistakes from EG’s bot lane, while the top side of Fnatic had complete control over the map. Aside from the first drake, EG did not have the chance to contest any objectives and couldn’t do anything but just slowly lose the game.

• Teams: FNC 1 – 0 EG
• Time: 29:24
• Kills: 10 – 2
• Turrets: 10 – 2
• Gold: 59.6k – 45.8k
• Dragons: 3 – 1
• Barons: 1 – 0

First Blood at Worlds for @FNC_Upset & @rhuckz! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/bRczmB8vrh

— FNATIC (@FNATIC) September 29, 2022

LOUD vs Beyond Gaming (Group A)

Despite the overwhelming hope from the Brazillian fans on social media about LOUD making waves in Worlds, it was Beyond that had an amazing start to the event. LOUD had the first blood in the game, but that and the first Herald was the only positive point for them in the game. Beyond’s jungle/support duo established total control over the game and found multiple great engages time and time after again. And with an amazing performance by Minji, Beyond had a great first step in their Play-In journey.

• Teams: LOUD 0 – 1 BYG
• Time: 28:40
• Kills: 3 – 21
• Turrets: 3 – 9
• Gold: 44.4k – 56.9k
• Dragons: 0 – 4
• Barons: 0 – 1

MAD Lions vs Istanbul Wildcats (Group B)

A 2-0 start to the group for MAD Lions, even though it wasn’t the closest one. Like their first one, this game also started out very quick and clean for them as they found a lot of plays around the map and get themselves an early lead. But just like their first game, they made some mistakes during the early game and had some trouble pushing their lead further. Eventually, IW showed that they can also make bad decisions and took some bad fights. They couldn’t touch UNF0RGIVEN’s Kai’Sa and he managed to dominate the fights.

• Teams: MAD 1 – 0 IW
• Time: 37:05
• Kills: 20 – 11
• Turrets: 9 – 4
• Gold: 70.7k – 60.7k
• Dragons: 2 – 3
• Barons: 1 – 1

Chiefs Esports Club vs Fnatic (Group A)

Another 2-0 start for LEC. Fnatic with their substitute support once again looked like they did not have trouble adjusting. Even with Chiefs throwing most of their early game attention to the bot lane, Fnatic did a great job at covering and Rhuckz was once again massive with his engages. Humanoid also created a big mid gap second game in a row. The game didn’t look all that close, even with Chiefs getting the early objectives. Fnatic did a good job of opening the game early and slowly choking their opponents out of it, and they put the finishing touch with an Upset pentakill.

• Teams: CHF 0 – 1 FNC
• Time: 29:47
• Kills: 6 – 17
• Turrets: 3 – 9
• Gold: 48.9k – 60.9k
• Dragons: 1 – 2
• Barons: 0 – 1

PENTAKILL FOR @FNC_UPSET! #WORLDS2022 pic.twitter.com/iGaMjMJshw

— LoL Esports (@lolesports) September 30, 2022

DetonatioN FM vs LOUD (Group A)

Finally LOUD is here as they demolished DFM in the fastest game of Day 1. Similar to their game against BYG, we saw a very aggressive LOUD in the early game, the difference is they were a lot more successful in their plays. Their solo laners looked much more comfortable with these two picks, especially tinowns as his teamfighting was on a different level. Other than the first Herald fight, there wasn’t much close action in the game as DFM lost control and couldn’t challenge their opponents.

• Teams: DFM 0 – 1 LOUD
• Time: 22:57
• Kills: 5 – 21
• Turrets: 1 – 9
• Gold: 35.5k – 46.8k
• Dragons: 0 – 3
• Barons: 0 – 1

Saigon Buffalo vs Istanbul Wildcats (Group B)

This was the game to watch for fans who enjoy real fiestas. Both teams were down to fight for any objective in the early game, and sometimes even without any objectives. The recipients for these early fights were the ADCs, especially HolyPhoenix who cleaned up the Herald fight. Wildcats also had control over early drakes, but some bad calls and rotations during the mid game lost them a lot of momentum and map control. Buffalo capitalized on this very well and with Hasmed and Shogun’s great performance won their first game at Worlds 2022.

• Teams: SGB 1 – 0 IW
• Time: 34:33
• Kills: 19 – 14
• Turrets: 10 – 3
• Gold: 67.3k – 56.9k
• Dragons: 2 – 2
• Barons: 2- 0

DRX vs Royal Never Give Up (Group B)

We had an amazing draft for our first LPL vs LCK game, with Maokai jungle and a Nilah bot lane. Coming into the game, RNG was the slightly favored side and they showed why with their early game lead they established by focusing the enemy top laner. It looked like a very hard game for DRX until they managed to get an ace out of nowhere thanks to some great teamfighting by Deft. There were some back-and-forth objective fights and steals, but eventually, the difference between the ADCs' impact was too much for RNG to come back. With this win, DRX gave themselves a very big chance at topping the group.

• Teams: DRX – RNG
• Time: 42:07
• Kills: 18 – 9
• Turrets: 9 – 3
• Gold: 77.4k – 70.2k
• Dragons: 4 – 3
• Barons: 1 – 1

For more coverage on Worlds 2022 Play-in and the main event, you can follow us on ESTNN.