Top 5 Worlds Upsets

5. INTZ vs EDward Gaming, Worlds 2016: In 2016, EDward Gaming went to Worlds as the LPL summer champion and on paper should have dominated a group with Europe’s H2K, the LMS AHQ and Brazil’s INTZ. The Brazilian team, however, was about to make their Worlds debut with a bang. In their opening game, they played fearlessly against their famous opponent, exploited EDG’s comparatively weaker top lane and, with great performances from their jungler and top lane, eventually took the game. It might have been INTZ’s only win in the groups, but what a win it was. Image credit: Riot Games

4.G2 Esports vs Royal Never Give Up, Worlds 2018: After failing to get out of Worlds’ groups twice, in 2018 G2 actually started with a loss in the play-ins, then went 3-3 in the group and barely advanced to the playoffs after a tie-breaker against Flash Wolves. There, they drew one of the tournament favorites - China’s Royal Never Give Up. Аll but the most devoted fans were sure G2’s Worlds journey would end in the quarterfinals, but Luka "Perkz" Perković and his teammates threw away the script. It turned out to be a viciously fought five-game series, with the teams alternating victories until, in game 5, Perkz put on a stellar Leblanc performance to carry the game and cement his name as one of the all-time greats. Image credit: Riot Games

3. Albus Nox Luna vs Rox Tigers Worlds 2016: By 2016, Russia was not seen as a strong region and Albus Nox Luna was virtually unknown internationally. They showed up in the groups and defeated Counter-Logic Gaming and G2 Esports games, but CLG was plagued by consistency issues and back in 2016, G2 was seen as weak internationally. Against LCK Champions ROX Tigers. ANX were clear underdogs. However, a strong start put Mykhailo "Kira" Harmash’s Vladimir ahead and he repaid his team with a dominating mid-game performance. Despite a vicious ROX defense, the LCL team triumphed in a 65-minute game and became the first Wildcard team to make it to the playoffs. Image credit: Riot Games

2. KaBuM! e-Sports vs Alliance, Worlds 2014: In the summer of 2014, Alliance was the first ever team to wrest the EU LCS trophy from Fnatic. The “superteam” built around Henrik "Froggen" Hansen was Europe’s big hope in 2014. After a perfect game against NaJin White Shield, all that stood in the way of a playof spot was Brazil’s KaBuM! e-Sports. Until then, no wildcard team had ever triumphed against the champion of a major team - but this is just what happened. Kabum got an early lead and pressured Alliance relentlessly, pushed them into making mistakes and ended the game after being ahead the entire time. Alliance ended up not making it out of groups - and KaBuM! Showed that anyone can bleed. Image credit: Riot Games

1. Taipei Assassins, Worlds 2012: For Taipei Assassins at the Season 2 World Championship, the entire event was one upset after another. The champions of the emergent LMS region were seen as the underdog against all their opponents there. They went 2-0 against the NaJin squad that had won all three games in their group before reverse sweeping the Moscow 5 squad many considered the best team in the world at that point. In the grand final, they faced the other tournament favorite - Azubu Frost - and after losing the first game won the next three to become world champions. Image credit: Riot Games