VALORANT Champions group stage: Day 5 match ratings

Welcome to our VALORANT Champions match ratings. As the tournament gets in full swing, Upcomer will rate every match of the first world championship so fans can easily tell which matches they need to watch and remember from the tournament. The matchups from Day 5 of the VALORANT Champions group stage include a replay of Vivo Keyd vs. Acend, FURIA Esports vs. KRÜ Esports, Team Secret vs. Crazy Raccoon and FULL SENSE vs. Cloud9 in a full slate of VALORANT action.

Our rating scale

From one (lowest) to five (highest) stars, here’s what each star rating means in layman’s terms:

* Boring. Utterly skippable and something no one will remember by tomorrow

** Watchable. Possibly recommended based on your rooting interests

*** Good. Something I’d recommend checking out, even if you’re not a fan of either team

**** Must-watch. A game or series that you need to watch if you have any interest in VALORANT

***** An all-time classic. This perfect rating is only achievable if a game or match is at the highest level of entertainment, gameplay and will go down in the lexicon as a moment no VALORANT fan will ever forget

Let’s get started

Vivo and Acend will start out today’s slate of action in a one-map replay of their previous matchup. That match decides who will move on in the group and who will go down into the lower bracket. Day 4’s other matchups have larger implications as the losers will get sent home and the winners will have one more match to play to see if they will move on to the knockout stage.

THE ELMINATIONS BEGIN! Who will survive the lower bracket at #VALORANTChampions?

Watch live at https://t.co/io2c23tsMd pic.twitter.com/lDSbieHpJT

— VALORANT Champions Tour (@ValorantEsports) December 5, 2021

Vivo Keyd vs. Acend: Breeze (replay)

*** stars

A replay match that was heavily in favor of Acend due to their seven round advantage. But, Keyd pulled the match into their favor and made what looked like a decided game into a competitive one with some intense moment on both sides.

Team Secret vs. Crazy Raccoon: Split

** stars

A fairly straight forward win for Team Secret. While there were a few highlight rounds, this game was more entertaining because of the compositions. We saw the first Omen of the tournament and an odd Sova and Breach pairing from Crazy Raccoon. Watch this for an interesting meta breakdown, otherwise it’s a skip from me.

Team Secret vs. Crazy Raccoon: Haven

* 1/2 stars

Watching Team Secret get their first series win internationally makes this more than just another boring matchup. Crazy Raccoon exit VALORANT Champions on Day 5 with a whimper. As someone who has watched them since VALORANT Champions Tour Masters Reykjavík, this tournament may have been their most disappointing. A sad matchup that fans can skip if they want.

FURIA Esports vs. KRÜ Esports: Fracture

*** 1/2

Two South American giants traded round after round and showcased the best of their individual mechanics. Outside of some incredible clips, this game also showed more of Fracture’s tactical depth as both teams had interesting setups with Breach that we have not seen from Fnatic, who previously showcased the depth of strategy on this map. The first map in an elimination series that went the distance, what’s there not to like?

.@keznitdeuS and @Nagzet combine for all 5 to tie things up! #VALORANTChampions pic.twitter.com/6hTJpTRkyF

— VALORANT Champions Tour (@ValorantEsports) December 5, 2021

FURIA Esports vs. KRÜ Esports: Ascent

*** 1/2 stars

KRÜ exploded onto this map and sealed their win with a 10-round win streak. A great map for any fan to sit down and analyze or watch for the wild moments across both halves. This map gets three stars just for the double detain Killjoy ultimate from both sides.

FURIA Esports vs. KRÜ Esports: Haven

**** stars

KRÜ survive for another series as they eliminate yet another Brazilian team to move on in an international tournament. This match was entertaining for the gumption from both sides for some of the aggressive plays and mind games played by KRÜ. It’s sad to see FURIA go, but by the transitive property KRÜ should be able to give Sentinels a tough match.

FULL SENSE vs. Cloud9: Split

** stars

FULL SENSE made this map competitive and it had its moments, but nothing worth watching if you’re not invested in either team. Cloud9 don’t seem miles ahead of Thai team, so maybe this next map will deliver.

FULL SENSE vs. Cloud9: Breeze

*** stars

Cloud9 take a dramatic second map to send FULL SENSE home as the Thai team fought to the end. An overtime match is always worth a watch, add elimination possibilities and the entertainment value sky rockets. A great series to end the day.