Paper Rex push past Karmine Corp 2-1 to make playoffs

Paper Rex Paper Rex Asia-Pacific Rank #1 mindfreak Aaron Leonhart Jinggg Wang Jing Jie f0rsakeN Jason Susanto d4v41 Khalish Rusyaidee something Ilya Petrov defeated Karmine Corp Karmine Corp Europe Rank #8 MAGNUM Martin Penkov tomaszy Tomás Machado N4RRATE Marshall Massey marteen Martin Pátek sh1n Ryad Ensaad 2-1 in the final swiss stage match of the Valorant Champions Tour 2024 Masters Madrid tournament. Paper Rex will move on, competing in the playoff section of Masters Madrid, while Karmine Corp has been eliminated from the tournament.

The map picks started with Paper Rex picking Bind and Karmine Corp picking Lotus, leaving Ascent as the decider.

The series began on Bind, with Karmine Corp sticking to their double duelist comp with Yoru and Raze while Paper Rex returned with something on Reyna. Paper Rex got the first pistol thanks to crucial kills from Monyet , building off a great series against Team Heretics.

A hilarious moment from d4v41 made a bonus conversion sweeter, shooting his teammates to make them nervous. The look from something was priceless, and the vibes were high after a strong start.

Monyet evolved from one of PRX's weaknesses early in Madrid to one of its strengths while facing elimination. It showed in an early ace, preventing Karmine Corp from fighting back. The takes of A main with Reyna and Raze looked unstoppable, allowing them to use that conditioning and take B with ease afterward.

KC scored their first round on an eco, but needed a run to keep the map within reach. Their attempt to match Paper Rex's quick executes and clever lurks only worked near the end of their defense, ending the half down 4-8. Despite their composition being stronger on the attack side, KC needed to start a comeback beginning with the second pistol.

A four-man flank and some mistakes from Karmine Corp led to Paper Rex's second pistol win, but they force-bought guns to win on their eco round. It kept the map close, trading rounds after, remaining down four rounds at 10-6. Then, d4v41 sealed a close 1v1 win against N4RRATE , which soon led Paper Rex to map point. KC fought back to get double-digit rounds, but PRX took the map 13-10. Paper Rex was only one map win away from making it to playoffs and sending KC home.

The trust between the Paper Rex players was fully on display, as head coach alecks revealed post-map.

“The most important thing [with us] is trust,” alecks said. “We trust each other a lot, we know anyone can take over anytime they want.”

Karmine Corp's head coach looked at Paper Rex as many fans do: one of the most entertaining teams to watch, and an opportunity to learn.

“It's a pleasure to play against them,” ENGH said post-Bind, “we're learning a lot.”

Paper Rex won their third pistol round win of the series to start Lotus. PRX quickly got the Operator in something's hands, even spending on their bonus round. PRX lost the round, so the Operator got cycled between teams, trading rounds back and forth. N4RRATE had a revenge 1v1 win against d4v41, and after a couple of clean retakes, KC took the lead.

The lead grew, with Karmine Corp's comfort on Lotus evident in comparison to their Bind. KC ended the half up 8-4, a great result considering their loss in the pistol round. Paper Rex won their fourth straight to keep their hope of a sweep alive.

For KC, a key strategy chance on their attack led to some flawless attack rounds. After securing the site, instead of planting and getting rushed by f0rsakeN or something, they patiently waited for Paper Rex's aggression to get easy kills. The lead built until the map was over, Karmine Corp winning 13-6 and tying the series.

N4RRATE stepped up on Lotus, swapping onto Fade and getting 18 kills and a near-perfect 95% KAST.

Ascent would decide who continued in Madrid and who set up a flight back home. Karmine Corp went with the triple initiator comp, while Paper Rex opted for Gekko and double smokes. KC won their first pistol round of the series and played off of some hero moments from marteen to get ahead.

In a moment of need, Monyet used his ultimate while blinded to go high up in the air, surprising KC and getting a triple kill.

That proved to be a big moment to build momentum, as the half turned from one-sided to highly contested. Karmine Corp remained in the lead at 7-5 entering the half. After winning the second pistol on the map, KC was in prime position to close out the series.

Thanks to some pristine Operator play from something, the game was tied 11-11. A clean site retake put PRX up at match point, but marteen blitzed his way to a 4K and overtime.

A glass cannon Operator buy from something took KC off guard, and a solid hold from d4v41 and f0rsakeN won them the match. The experience of the Paper Rex team proved invaluable as the final map stretched on to OT. The one player who wasn't on that Champions 2023 finals team, Monyet, spoke to the benefits of playing on a team like Paper Rex heading into the playoffs.

“You'll never know what comp we'll be using,” Monyet said post-match. “We have to take the games one by one.”

Paper Rex will face off against Pacific rivals Gen.G Gen.G Korea Rank #2 Munchkin Byeon Sang-beom (변상범) t3xture Kim Na-ra (김나라) Meteor Kim Tae-O (김태오) Lakia Kim Jong-min (김종민) Karon Kim Won-tae (김원태) in the playoff semi-finals, two match wins away from their first global title.