CLG reverse sweeps Clutch Gaming in LCS playoffs third-place match

Counter Logic Gaming achieved one of the most remarkable comebacks in recent LCS history, mounting a stunning reverse sweep against Clutch Gaming after dropping the first two matches. This type of comeback occurs in less than 15% of professional series when teams fall behind 0-2, making CLG’s achievement particularly significant.

The victory secured third place for CLG in the 2019 LCS Summer Playoffs, demonstrating exceptional mental resilience after being pushed to the brink of elimination. Clutch Gaming had established complete control with back-to-back victories, but CLG demonstrated championship-caliber composure by systematically dismantling their opponents’ strategies.

Clutch Gaming’s Commanding Series Start

Clutch Gaming established immediate control by taking the opening game decisively. During the draft phase, CLG made a strategic move to first-pick Qiyana, specifically targeting Tanner “Damonte” Damonte’s champion pool. Damonte countered expertly with Renekton, a pick popularized by Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok in LCK competition that counters Qiyana’s mobility.

From the opening minutes, Clutch demonstrated clear mid-lane priority, with Raymond “Wiggily” Griffin and Tristan “PowerOfEvil” Schrage aggressively pursuing Damonte, triggering an early five-versus-five teamfight that set the tone for their aggressive style.

Throughout the mid game phase, Clutch systematically secured neutral objectives while CLG struggled to mount effective counterplays. The gold deficit and item disadvantages prevented CLG from successfully contesting objectives, allowing Clutch to consistently win crucial engagements.

Damonte maintained Clutch’s advantage through exceptional individual play, consistently handling multiple opponents with support from his team. The battle zones shifted toward Baron Nashor territory, with each team securing one buff apiece during the contested period.

Clutch applied relentless map pressure across all three lanes, forcing CLG into defensive trading patterns around mid lane that prolonged the game without creating meaningful comeback opportunities. In the decisive top-lane engagement, Sun “Cody Sun” Li-Yu secured a quadra kill by eliminating four CLG members, sealing the victory decisively.

Damonte’s Qiyana Dominance

CLG’s draft strategy shifted in game two, allowing Qiyana through bans and selecting Diana as their counter—marking the champion’s first LCS appearance since 2015, a bold strategic gamble that ultimately backfired.

The bottom lane immediately favored Clutch as Cody Sun and Philippe “Vulcan” Laflamme secured first blood, prompting an immediate adjustment to focus resources on bot-side pressure and snowballing opportunities.

Nam “Lira” Tae-yoo’s rotation to bot lane resulted in additional kills, creating unstoppable momentum. Lira and Vulcan formed a devastating roaming partnership that systematically accumulated advantages through eliminations, vision establishment, and jungle camp denial.

CLG attempted to mirror Clutch’s strategy by contesting the freshly spawned Rift Herald, but Clutch aggressively defended the objective zone, forcing CLG to abandon the attempt and reconsider their overall game plan entirely.

From that point forward, Lira dominated the map, eliminating CLG players wherever he appeared. PowerOfEvil’s Diana failed to effectively counter Damonte’s Qiyana pressure, resulting in complete map control for Clutch by the 18-minute mark—an exceptionally early timing for such comprehensive dominance.

Superior vision control enabled Clutch to apply multi-lane pressure simultaneously. Despite CLG’s persistent fighting and opportunistic plays, they couldn’t secure sufficient advantages to shift momentum.

Clutch Gaming secured the initial Baron buff, achieved a full team elimination in CLG’s base, and reached match point with commanding series control.

CLG’s Critical Game Three Resurgence

Game three marked the beginning of CLG’s historic reversal. The team selected a composition featuring powerful engagement tools and sufficient burst damage to decisively eliminate opponents. Damonte and Heo “Huni” Seung-hoon attempted lane swaps for favorable matchups, but CLG matched every rotational movement with precision.

The early game dynamics were shaped primarily by support-initiated engagements. Vincent “Biofrost” Wang’s Thresh performance became instrumental to CLG’s success, consistently capturing Clutch players attempting to disengage from unfavorable fights.

CLG demonstrated exceptional coordination throughout game three, with consistently superior teamfighting where each player leveraged individual advantages for collective success.

Vision control deficiencies provided CLG with multiple eliminations and two Baron buffs. Clutch retreated to their base and witnessed CLG initiate the reverse sweep from what felt like an inescapable position.

Common Mistake Alert: Many teams facing elimination become overly aggressive, but CLG maintained disciplined vision establishment and objective control.

CLG Sustains Momentum in Game Four

CLG continued their momentum into the fourth game of the series.

Ruin and PowerOfEvil executed lane swaps seeking advantageous matchups, though neither team displayed particularly aggressive early-game tendencies. The opening phase progressed more deliberately than anticipated, with both squads exercising strategic patience.

During the mid game, gold remained evenly distributed between the teams. CLG’s composition possessed superior scaling potential, allowing them to prioritize item completion and secure necessary eliminations to reach their power spikes.

CLG established map control through superior vision placement and rotational movement. Clutch appeared disorganized and failed to effectively counter CLG’s map movements, engaging in unfavorable fights that resulted in additional gold advantages for their opponents.

CLG displayed decisive late-game execution. Flanking maneuvers from Kim “Ruin” Hyeong-min effectively neutralized Cody Sun’s damage output in teamfights. The strategic approach yielded dividends as CLG decisively eliminated Clutch outside their base to secure the victory.

CLG Closes with a Perfect Game Five

With the series victory within grasp, CLG entered the decisive game brimming with confidence. They initiated action with early rotational plays that grouped the team to apply coordinated pressure against Clutch.

CLG maintained elevated tempo throughout, systematically denying Clutch’s attempts to reestablish footing. Elimination after elimination, Clutch fell to CLG’s relentless pressure. By the 20-minute mark, CLG breached the enemy base through top lane, with Clutch unable to mount effective defensive measures.

Every CLG player outperformed their direct counterpart. Clutch couldn’t stabilize the situation and attempted forced engagements that only exacerbated their disadvantage.

CLG secured Baron Nashor stealthily while two members occupied all five Clutch players—a brilliant distraction tactic. The empowered buff provided sufficient advantage for CLG to conclude the series with a statistically perfect game.

Both Clutch and CLG advanced to the regional finals to compete for qualification to the 2019 World Championship. FlyQuest and Team SoloMid also participated in the regional gauntlet tournament.

Strategic Insight: This series demonstrates that draft advantages must be complemented by in-game execution—Clutch’s superior early drafts couldn’t overcome CLG’s adaptive strategies.

The psychological aspect of competitive gaming cannot be overstated. CLG’s ability to reset mentally after two devastating losses showcases championship mentality development.

For teams looking to improve their competitive performance, studying this series provides valuable lessons in momentum management, vision control prioritization, and adaptive drafting.

Looking to master your own gameplay? Check out our Class Guide for detailed strategies on champion selection and role optimization.

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