BackMSI 2026 Mid-Season Invitational

TL vs DCG Highlights: TL Win 3-0, MSI 2026 Play-In Day 2

By Onivia Editorial

TL;DRTeam Liquid face Deep Cross Gaming in the MSI 2026 Play-In stage. Both teams aim to secure a spot in the main event, adding pressure to this crucial matchup. For TL, it’s a test of their new roster’s synergy, while DCG seeks to make a mark on the international stage.

Watch on YouTube

Team Liquid and Deep Cross Gaming faced off in the MSI 2026 Play-In stage, a critical juncture for both teams aiming to advance to the main event. Team Liquid entered the competition with high expectations, bolstered by the leadership of their seasoned support, CoreJJ. As one of the most successful organizations in North American League of Legends history, TL has a legacy to uphold as they look to prove themselves once again on the international front.

Related coverage: Karmine Corp and Deep Cross Gaming Battle at MSI 2026 Play-In and T1 and Team Liquid Battle in MSI 2026 Play-In Clash.

Deep Cross Gaming, hailing from the PCS, approached this matchup as underdogs but with nothing to lose, a position that can often lead to surprising upsets. The team had been building momentum in their regional league, and their players were eager to showcase their talent on a global stage. With limited international experience, DCG aimed to leverage this opportunity to gain recognition and potentially secure a coveted spot in the main event of MSI 2026.

This encounter in the Play-In stage was not just a battle for advancement but also a test of cohesion and strategy for both teams. Team Liquid, having recently made roster changes, sought to establish strong synergy among their players. The pressure was on to demonstrate that their new lineup could mesh well under the high stakes of international competition.

For Deep Cross Gaming, the match was an opportunity to prove their strength against a historically strong team from a major region. Facing Team Liquid allowed DCG to evaluate their own strategies and performance against a higher caliber of opposition. This experience, regardless of the outcome, was vital for the PCS representatives as they aimed to strengthen their status beyond their regional successes.

As the MSI 2026 Play-In stage continues, both Team Liquid and Deep Cross Gaming are aware that each match counts significantly towards their journey through the tournament. With the eyes of the League of Legends community upon them, both teams strive to make their mark and move one step closer to the ultimate stage of MSI.

Series result

DCG

DCG

0 - 3

Team Liquid win

TL

TL

Picks & Bans

3 games
Team Liquid logo

Team Liquid

blue side
Picks
CoreJJ
Bard
Bard
Josedeodo
Xin Zhao
Xin Zhao
Quid
Akali
Akali
Morgan
Ornn
Ornn
Yeon
Varus
Varus
Bans
Nautilus
Nautilus
Vi
Vi
Lee Sin
Lee Sin
Camille
Camille
Pyke
Pyke
Deep Cross Gaming logo

Deep Cross Gaming

red side
Picks
Pop9
Jarvan IV
Jarvan IV
Flauren
Rumble
Rumble
HongSuo
Cassiopeia
Cassiopeia
ShiauC
Rakan
Rakan
Feng
Jhin
Jhin
Bans
Naafiri
Naafiri
Poppy
Poppy
Nocturne
Nocturne
Ezreal
Ezreal
Caitlyn
Caitlyn

Game 133:35

Team Liquid won

Team Liquidblue : redDeep Cross Gaming

Kills

20:10

Gold

71.6k:59.3k

Towers

10:0

Dragons

4:1

Barons

2:0

TL
Team Liquid
DCG
Deep Cross Gaming
Ornn
MorganOrnn
0/2/12249 CS·12.0k
Top
+1 CS+796 gold
Rumble
FlaurenRumble
2/5/1285 CS·13.3k
Xin Zhao
JosedeodoXin Zhao
6/3/8261 CS·15.7k
Jungle
+91 gold+10 CS
Jarvan IV
Pop9Jarvan IV
4/6/6215 CS·11.9k
Akali
QuidAkali
8/0/1348 CS·17.3k
Mid
+4 CS+54 gold
Cassiopeia
HongSuoCassiopeia
2/4/2319 CS·13.0k
Varus
YeonVarus
4/3/9321 CS·16.4k
Bot
+166 gold+30 CS
Jhin
FengJhin
2/3/4310 CS·13.3k
Bard
CoreJJBard
2/2/1547 CS·10.2k
Support
+137 gold+1 CS
Rakan
ShiauCRakan
0/2/742 CS·7.9k
71.6k gold59.3k gold

Team Liquid · 1 Herald, 2 Void Grubs, 2 inhibitors

Deep Cross Gaming · 1 Void Grub

First objectives: Deep Cross Gaming took first blood; Deep Cross Gaming took first dragon; Team Liquid took first Herald; Team Liquid took first Baron; Team Liquid took first tower.

Game 232:33

Team Liquid won

Team Liquidblue : redDeep Cross Gaming

Kills

25:17

Gold

70.4k:64.2k

Towers

11:2

Dragons

2:3

Barons

1:0

TL
Team Liquid
DCG
Deep Cross Gaming
Twisted Fate
MorganTwisted Fate
7/4/12275 CS·16.4k
Top
+218 gold+2 CS
Gnar
FlaurenGnar
1/4/7291 CS·12.6k
Pantheon
JosedeodoPantheon
6/7/8211 CS·13.1k
Jungle
+66 gold+25 CS
Olaf
Pop9Olaf
6/5/9242 CS·14.2k
Ryze
QuidRyze
8/2/10310 CS·16.1k
Mid
+924 gold+3 CS
Taliyah
HongSuoTaliyah
4/6/6344 CS·14.3k
Ziggs
YeonZiggs
2/1/16293 CS·15.3k
Bot
+539 gold+24 CS
Senna
FengSenna
5/3/9244 CS·14.6k
Rell
CoreJJRell
2/3/1835 CS·9.6k
Support
+422 gold+4 CS
Nautilus
ShiauCNautilus
1/7/1038 CS·8.6k
70.4k gold64.2k gold

Team Liquid · 3 inhibitors

Deep Cross Gaming · 1 Herald, 3 Void Grubs

First objectives: Team Liquid took first blood; Deep Cross Gaming took first dragon; Deep Cross Gaming took first Herald; Team Liquid took first Baron; Team Liquid took first tower.

Game 325:13

Team Liquid won

Team Liquidblue : redDeep Cross Gaming

Kills

22:11

Gold

57.2k:47.0k

Towers

9:2

Dragons

3:1

Barons

1:0

TL
Team Liquid
DCG
Deep Cross Gaming
Renekton
MorganRenekton
4/1/1244 CS·11.9k
Top
+2,334 gold+27 CS
Jax
FlaurenJax
1/3/2226 CS·9.2k
Shyvana
JosedeodoShyvana
7/0/3208 CS·12.5k
Jungle
+1,920 gold+8 CS
Wukong
Pop9Wukong
0/3/3165 CS·8.5k
Viktor
QuidViktor
3/1/5243 CS·11.3k
Mid
+407 gold+3 CS
Orianna
HongSuoOrianna
4/3/1246 CS·11.3k
Lucian
YeonLucian
8/4/8218 CS·13.0k
Bot
+1,010 gold+15 CS
Kalista
FengKalista
3/6/3198 CS·10.4k
Renata Glasc
CoreJJRenata Glasc
0/5/1727 CS·8.5k
Support
+1 CS+459 gold
Camille
ShiauCCamille
3/7/325 CS·7.7k
57.2k gold47.0k gold

Team Liquid · 1 Herald, 3 Void Grubs, 1 inhibitor

First objectives: Deep Cross Gaming took first blood; Team Liquid took first dragon; Team Liquid took first Herald; Team Liquid took first Baron; Team Liquid took first tower.

#Other#TL#DCG#LoLEsports