Isurus secure DreamHack Masters Dallas spot following 3-2 victory over W7M

Isurus successfully bested W7M on Mirage (16-12) and Overpass (16-11), securing a spot at DreamHack Masters Dallas 2019.

Isurus entered the best-of-5 series with a map advantage, as the Argentinian squad made their way to the grand final of the South American closed qualifier for DreamHack Masters Dallas via the upper bracket.

The first map of the series, Inferno, witnessed a back-and-forth in the initial half, where Isurus assumed the CT side, edging slightly ahead of the opposition come its conclusion at 8-7. In the latter half W7M demonstrated an outstanding defence of their own, closing out the map with a 16-12 victory, made sweeter by an AUG 3k from Leon "⁠ryotzz⁠" Felipe in round 30.

The Brazilians transferred the momentum from Inferno onto Nuke, where the squad was able to maintain a very dominant performance on the CT side of the map. Off the back of outstanding individual performances, a good example of which was a 4K landed by Lucas "⁠YJ⁠" Yuji in round 7, as few as three rounds were conceded to the Argentinian adversaries, netting W7M a dominant 12-3 half. Isurus retaliated with a spotless defence of their own, allowing the Ts their first round after they had accrued a 14-12 lead. A comeback from Isurus meant that regulation proved insufficient in deciding the victor of Nuke, forcing the map into overtime.

In line with the competitive nature of regulation, it took three overtimes to decide the victor, with a 1v2 clutch from YJ deciding the outcome of Nuke after triple overtime at 25-23 in W7M's favour.

The fourth map of the series, Mirage, witnessed a stellar CT showing, this time from Isurus. The Argentinian roster absolutely dominated over the course of the initial half, landing ten consecutive rounds prior to W7M being able to secure a single round. The eventual round victory apparently gave the Brazilian squad a second wind, allowing them to quintuple their score to a 5-10 deficit. After swapping sides, ryotzz and co. steadily gained on their opponents, able to secure an additional seven rounds. The comeback was shut down by economic resets and outplays from the Ts, pushing the series into map four after Isurus secured a 16-12 victory.

Concluding the face-off was Overpass, where Isurus got off on the right foot in the form of a successful T pistol, immediately upset by the defence. The early upset developed into a positive long-term prospect for W7M, as the Brazilians maintained a lead throughout the initial half, conceding a few rounds in the latter stages at 9-6. Isurus equalised the score at nine apiece following a successful pistol round, persisting with their stoic holds past the equator. Through a combination of resetting their opponents and exceptional teamplay, Isurus finally managed to best W7M on Overpass, concluding the map and series on a 16-11 note.

Below are all currently-known participants of DreamHack Masters Dallas 2019: