LOUD vs NRG – LOUD secures victory and faces 100 Thieves in the VCT Americas 2026 Stage 2 Grand Final

The LOUD vs NRG matchup took place under the cheers of the Brazilian crowd, directly from the Suhai Music Hall. With a 3-2 result, LOUD achieved its long-awaited victory. As a result, the team returns to the stage to face 100 Thieves in the grand final.

In addition to the grand final, LOUD secured its qualification for VCT Champions 2026 in Shanghai. To find out everything that happened between LOUD vs NRG, map by map, just check below.

High expectations for LOUD vs NRG

The clash between the two teams began long before the players stepped onto the stage. During 2026, the two teams met only three times, two of which were in the qualifiers for the Esports World Cup 2026.

At the very beginning of the championship, LOUD managed to win 2-0. However, in the rematch, NRG came out on top, winning 3-0 and qualifying for EWC 2026.

However, it is important to highlight that on that occasion, LOUD had a completely different roster. They did not yet have the Portuguese player DaviH and the young talent tkzin.

Picks and bans setting the pace of the confrontation

In the map picks and bans, we had very interesting choices that dictated much of the LOUD vs NRG clash. The order was as follows:

• NRG banned Split

• LOUD banned Ascent

• NRG picked Abyss

• LOUD picked Sunset

• NRG picked Summit

• LOUD picked Haven

• Lotus was the decider map

In 2026, the teams’ performance on each map was as follows:

The grand start between LOUD vs NRG, Abyss

The LOUD vs NRG confrontation started heating up on Abyss. Right at the agent select, we saw the teams presenting different tactics. While NRG bet on dominance with explosive attacks, LOUD came with the intent of steamrolling their opponent with speed.

The agents chosen by NRG were: Jett, Phoenix, Sova, Harbor, and Vyse. On LOUD’s side, the choices were: Waylay, Yoru, Sova, Omen, and Harbor.

Round by round

The match began with NRG attacking on their map pick. Initially, despite losing the first round, the North American team dominated the match. They managed to control the opposing defense, applying a beautiful anti-strat against LOUD. With this, we saw the side swap with a score of 9-3.

However, as every VALORANT fan knows, the score that makes teams break into a cold sweat the most is exactly 9-3. On the attacking side, LOUD began to dictate the entire pace of the map. NRG could not impose its defense, being neutralized by their opponents round after round.

Thus, we saw the first map between LOUD vs NRG finalized with a final score of 13-10 for the Brazilian team.

Sunset turns green at Suhai Music Hall

If Abyss started on fire, it was on Sunset where we saw it heat up even more. Expectations were very high for LOUD, mainly due to NRG’s high loss rate. However, anyone who believes a map is decided before it is played is mistaken.

In the agent selection, we had two similar compositions. The teams adapted their choices slightly, following their exact preference and playstyle. Thus, the following agents were chosen by LOUD: Neon, Sova, Omen, Chamber, and Sage. Meanwhile, NRG played with: Neon, Sova, Kay/O, Omen, and Chamber.

Round by round

The map began by showing a beautiful duel between LOUD vs NRG. Initially playing on the defending side, NRG managed to open the score favorably. However, LOUD gradually tried to control the situation. In this way, we saw a tie, charged with a lot of emotion.

At the half, this time playing on the defensive side, LOUD showed the reason for their map pick. The Brazilian team gradually opened up a lead on the scoreboard. Even with NRG closing in at 9-9, the “Verduxa” defense was relentless.

Then, after 4 rounds, Suhai Music Hall went wild. The LOUD vs NRG clash came to an end, with the Brazilian team winning 13-9 and opening a 2-0 lead in the series.

LOUD vs NRG heats up and Summit is the stage

Finally, the third map arrived, with NRG playing with all the pressure on them. Besides being their map pick, the score was not favorable at all. This is not to mention the crowd, which ignited the match with every round.

In the agent picks, we saw two very different compositions. While NRG played with: Neon, Sova, Kay/O, Brimstone, and Cypher, LOUD opted for the following agents: Neon, Fade, Omen, Chamber, and Sage.

Round by round

In the first half of the map, we saw a very good performance from LOUD. The Verduxa was dominating on the attacking side, giving no chance to their opponent. Even using their tactical timeouts, NRG could not regain control. Thus, we saw the first half end with a score of 8-4.

During the side swap, NRG managed to rediscover their rhythm. The North American attack was very sharp. Gradually, the score closed in, tied, and finally turned in favor of NRG. In the end, their first victory arrived with a final score of 13-9.

Everything is tied on Haven

Before the fourth map began, during the walkouts, LOUD players entered calling the crowd to join them. After all, the map was their choice and they had a lead in the map count. Then, the match between LOUD vs NRG began with the agent selection.

After many different compositions, we finally saw a mirrored agent selection. Both teams chose to play with: Neon, Phoenix, Sova, Omen, and Chamber. This was expected, as all these agents were the most picked on Haven during VCT Americas 2026 Stage 2.

Round by round

During Haven, we saw NRG playing much more comfortably. The North American defense was very solid, making life difficult for LOUD. Furthermore, map reading was one of the crucial points for NRG’s advantage. With this, the fourth map between LOUD vs NRG ended, partially, at 8-4.

The expectation was that the side swap would be the moment for the Brazilian recovery. However, that was not exactly the reality. Playing on the defensive side, LOUD could not impose its playstyle.

Finally, the map ended 13-5, with NRG tying the series and taking the decision to Lotus.

The winner between LOUD vs NRG is decided on Lotus

So, after 4 exciting maps, the decision for the VCT Americas 2026 Stage 2 finalist arrived. Lotus was the stage for the grand duel between LOUD vs NRG. Suhai Music Hall shouted in unison for its Brazilian representative, while both teams entered focused and concentrated for the big decision.

In the agent selection phase, we saw very opposite proposals. While on one side LOUD bet, once again, on speed, on the other side, NRG sought to nullify that aggressiveness.

The choices were as follows:

LOUD

1. Neon

2. Fade

3. Omen

4. Viper

5. Chamber

NRG

1. Raze

2. Fade

3. Omen

4. Viper

5. Vyse

Round by round

The last map was a true heart-test for everyone following LOUD vs NRG. In addition to all the nervousness involved, some technical pauses made everything even more tense. In fact, during one of the pauses, NRG player mada felt pain in his left hand. Because of this, the player had to leave the stage for a few moments.

During the first half, we saw a reset LOUD focused on finishing the game. Their attack was very accurate, managing to destabilize NRG. Thus, the first half ended in a 9-3, bringing a mixed feeling to the Brazilian fans.

After all, which VALORANT fan isn’t afraid of a 9-3 score?

However, to the relief of the Brazilian fans (and the sadness of the North Americans), this fear did not materialize. With an absolute defense, LOUD closed the map 13-3. In this way, they guaranteed their spot for VCT Champions 2026 in Shanghai, in addition to competing for the VCT Americas 2026 Stage 2 title against 100 Thieves.

Who was the MVP of the LOUD vs NRG match?

After 5 maps and more than 100 rounds played, the question remains about the standout of the day. Both for LOUD and NRG, there were players with good numbers.
On the NRG side, brawk was the player who stood out the most, with skuba and keiko following closely behind. For LOUD, erde was the player with the best rating, while lukxo had the best KDA. Check the table below for more details: