VCT: Keiko's hot lead turned the game around as NRG defeated XLG 2-0 to secure their opening victory.

The opening match of the Valorant London Masters Swiss stage saw NRG defeat XLG 2-0, sending NRG into the 1-0 pool.

Map 1: Pearl

Defending side XLG: Fade, Phoenix, Jett, Harbor, Vyse

Attacking side NRG: Gekko, Iso, Vyse, Sova, Harbor

The first half started with back-and-forth trades. XLG pulled off a nice upset in round 2, with NoMan pushing forward in B long and teaming up to eliminate the spike carrier, while Lysoar picked up a rifle and defended the spike for the win. However, NRG immediately retaliated with a force buy victory. NRG attacked decisively, found the weak side, and rushed the site, taking three consecutive rounds.

In round 6, after XLG's timeout, they had a rifle round. Rarga and Wsleo attempted a reverse clear at A short but were caught by NRG. Then NoMan and happywei won a fight at A site, with NoMan holding his ground admirably.

After NRG's timeout, XLG could not stop NRG's attacks on the site. In round 9, Keiko got a quad kill on the site, completely tearing apart XLG's defense and retakes.

NRG took three consecutive rounds before XLG stabilized. In the final round, Rarga secured a triple kill to claim a crucial point, reducing XLG's halftime deficit to two.

In the second half, NRG won three straight rounds. In round 15, XLG's rifle round failed to win a direct gunfight at B site.

In round 17, NoMan exploded with a triple kill, leading the team to their first point of the half. But in the following round, XLG hesitated too much on offense, leaving insufficient time to plant, causing Ethan to exclaim "Why."

NRG reached match point. In round 19, NRG pincered A site successfully and won, securing map 1.

Map 2: Lotus

Defending side XLG: Fade, Sage, Cypher, Omen, Killjoy

Attacking side NRG: Fade, Raze, Omen, Sage, Viper

XLG's triple-sentinel lineup started with a six-round win streak. NRG could not control A long and kept attacking C, always planting on top of the stairs.

In round 7, NRG pulled back and forth to gain a numbers advantage, finally winning C for their first point.

NRG pulled five straight rounds. In round 12, Lysoar double-smoked and force-defused, allowing XLG to win that round and stop the streak. Halftime score: XLG 7-5 NRG.

In the second half, XLG continued to push, taking four consecutive rounds. In round 17, XLG attacked A but failed to hold the site; NRG gained site control and cleaned up for the win.

During the second half, XLG kept their momentum with four straight wins. In round 17, XLG's A-site push could not secure the bomb site; NRG seized the advantage and won the retake.

After mada picked up the Operator, XLG failed to score any more points. NRG closed the gap with four consecutive rounds.

In round 21, NRG played a standard setup. Keiko controlled C long for information, and NRG stalled the attack time, trapping XLG between A and B with no good options.

In round 22, mada whiffed with the Operator and was eliminated. XLG entered from treehouse but could not hold the spike, falling to Keiko's unstoppable triple kill.

In the second half, NRG went on a seven-round win streak, overturning the deficit to win map 2.