Karmine Corp defeated Movistar KOI 2-0 on Saturday to qualify for the quarterfinals of the 2026 League of Legends World Championship. The all-LEC elimination match was played at the Credit Union of Texas Event Center in Allen, Texas, during the final round of the Swiss Stage.
The result ended Movistar KOI’s tournament. Both European teams entered the series with one final opportunity to reach the Knockout Stage, but Karmine Corp completed the sweep and secured one of the remaining quarterfinal places.
A close opening game
Game 1 began with Karmine Corp building an early objective lead by taking the first two dragons. The match remained cautious, and the first kill did not arrive until 14 minutes and 55 seconds, when Canna’s Renekton caught Supa’s Zeri while he was pushing through mid lane.
Movistar KOI responded around the Rift Herald and top lane, winning fights and briefly taking control of the gold lead. The team also won a dragon fight, but Karmine Corp secured the objective and reached three dragon stacks. At the next spawn, Karmine Corp caught the opposing bottom duo and claimed Dragon Soul at the 23-minute mark.
The game remained contested after that point. Karmine Corp used an opening around Baron when Zeri’s ultimate was unavailable to win a fight and take the buff. Movistar KOI answered with a decisive teamfight at Elder Dragon, but Karmine Corp won the next Elder contest. That final exchange gave Karmine Corp both Elder Dragon and Baron, allowing it to close the game.
Karmine Corp controls game 2
Karmine Corp carried the advantage into the second game, beginning with a 2-0 kill trade in a top-lane two-versus-two fight. The early exchange helped the team extend its lead across the map. Karmine Corp was ahead by more than 4,000 gold at 16 minutes and continued to control access to the dragon pit.
- Karmine Corp won the series 2-0.
- Movistar KOI’s 2026 Worlds campaign ended in the final Swiss Stage round.
- Karmine Corp advanced to the quarterfinals after securing three dragon stacks and Baron in Game 2.
Karmine Corp continued to widen the gold difference, reached three dragon stacks and secured Baron. The resulting advantage overwhelmed Movistar KOI and gave Karmine Corp the second-game victory, completing the sweep and sending the LEC’s third seed into the World Championship quarterfinals.
Different routes through the Swiss Stage
Karmine Corp entered the Swiss Stage through the Play-In Stage and opened its Worlds run by defeating LPL first seed Anyone’s Legend. The team then lost to LYON and Bilibili Gaming before keeping its qualification hopes alive with a win over CTBC Flying Oyster in Round 4.
Movistar KOI started the Swiss Stage with victories over Bilibili Gaming and CTBC Flying Oyster, including an upset of Bilibili Gaming in Round 1. Its campaign then turned after a 2-0 loss to Dplus KIA and another 2-0 defeat against defending world champion T1. The loss to Karmine Corp was the team’s final match at Worlds 2026.
