LOL-MSI: Zeus's Raven "Demonic Ascension" Turned the Tide, HLE 3-2 Eliminated LYON

On July 11, Beijing time, the 2026 MSI Mid-Season Invitational knockout stage featured the loser's bracket final between LCS first seed LYON and LCK first seed HLE! Both teams played a spectacular teamfight-heavy game, with HLE's mid-jungle duo going "crazy" in the third game, throwing away a good lead with two major mistakes. In the fourth game, Zeus's Raven stepped up to dominate teamfights, and ultimately HLE narrowly defeated LYON 3-2 to join LPL first seed BLG in the MSI finals, scheduled for July 12 at 4 PM for the "final showdown"!

Game 1

LYON: Ambessa, Qiyana, Ryze, Jinx, Poppy

HLE: Sion, Jarvan IV, Syndra, Ziggs, Camille

Early on, LYON's support Poppy effectively countered Camille by frequently interrupting her E hook with W, but the LYON bot lane overextended, allowing Kanavi's Jarvan IV to gank from behind: at level 3, Jarvan IV secured a gank bot, Poppy sacrificed herself to let Jinx escape, Ziggs got first blood, and HLE took the first dragon.

After recalling, Delight's Camille roamed top, while LYON immediately targeted Ziggs, who was isolated bot lane clearing waves. Poppy tanked the tower to help Qiyana kill him. HLE continued to focus top, and when Ryze used his ult to bring Qiyana, Ambessa was already killed by HLE's top-jungle-support trio. Ryze was caught by Jarvan IV's ult and died, Qiyana traded for Jarvan IV before dying. At the 12-minute dragon fight, although Qiyana was instantly killed by HLE's focus fire, Saint's Ryze managed to steal the dragon amidst the chaos. Poppy and Camille traded kills, and LYON gave up one extra kill but secured the dragon, which was not too bad.

In the early game, LYON's neutral objective fights all depended on Inspired's Qiyana ult. When the Rift Herald spawned, HLE encountered LYON at the top river, and Qiyana combined with Jinx for massive damage, allowing LYON to get a 1-for-2 and take the Herald. In exchange, HLE took the dragon. Before Baron spawned, both teams exchanged top lane outer turrets, and the gold was even.

In the mid-game, HLE saw Jinx clearing waves mid and decisively dived with top and support. Camille and Jinx traded kills, and LYON's mid turret fell. HLE set up an ambush in LYON's top jungle, killed Poppy while she was warding, and then quickly started Baron. LYON's four members came to contest, but Camille's E hooked onto a wall and was solo-killed by Qiyana's ult. LYON chased down HLE's four low-health members, but Berserker's Jinx flashed over a wall to chase Syndra, who flashed away. Sion's passive after death dealt significant damage, Jinx was isolated and died for free, and HLE fought 4v4 for a 2-for-4 ace, securing the Baron and winning big!

At 33 minutes, HLE pushed into LYON's mid inhibitor turret with Baron-buffed minions. LYON's mid-jungle made the most clever decision of the game: they rushed the Elder Dragon. HLE realized too late, and Qiyana secured the Elder Dragon with smite just before dying. LYON got a 1-for-3 and temporarily stabilized. HLE stalled until LYON's Elder Dragon buff expired, then took control of the Baron pit area. Kanavi's Jarvan IV ulted top to catch Qiyana, and HLE used the Hextech Dragon Soul's slow to pick off enemies one by one, securing a 0-for-5 ace and ending the game, taking a 1-0 lead!

Game 2

HLE: Anivia, Nocturne, Orianna, Miss Fortune, Rakan

LYON: Gragas, Lee Sin, Akali, Ezreal, Alistar

Early on, HLE had lane priority in all three lanes, gaining a 1k gold lead during the laning phase. Their lane advantage quickly spread to the jungle, allowing Kanavi's Nocturne to easily take the first dragon. At the 8-minute Voidgrub fight, Nocturne stole one grub, then LYON secured the river position. Nocturne baited Alistar to engage on him, and although Orianna's ult was dodged by LYON, Alistar was isolated and had to flee, giving Miss Fortune first blood. LYON got two grubs but it was not worth it.

In the early game, Zeus's Anivia out-CSed Dhokla's Gragas by nearly 20 and nearly solo-killed him, but LYON turned things around in the dragon fight: Alistar made a clever flank to block Orianna's support path. HLE's formation was split, and their mid-jungle duo died. LYON got a 0-for-2 and secured the dragon, erasing the gold deficit from the laning phase.

At 15 minutes, in the Rift Herald fight, although HLE took the river position first, LYON flanked from both sides and outplayed them. Isles's Alistar knocked up HLE's mid and support with a W-Q combo just before dying, while Inspired's Lee Sin cut into HLE's backline and caught three. LYON's double carries dealt damage freely, resulting in a 3-for-3 and claiming the Herald. Before Baron spawned, LYON lost all three outer turrets, but Zeka's Orianna carelessly overextended while clearing top lane and was solo-killed by Saint's Akali under turret! LYON used the Herald to take down the bot inner turret, and HLE's early lead vanished.

In the mid-game, as both teams skirmished near the Baron river, HLE's initial burst all went onto Lee Sin, but he survived thanks to the "Conqueror" passive healing, helping LYON secure a 1-for-4 and seize the tempo! After respawning, HLE rushed to the dragon river for another fight. Gragas ulted to knock Rakan back and ignited him, and the flanking Akali easily got the kill. HLE could only watch as LYON claimed the Hextech Dragon Soul point.

At 27 minutes, HLE initiated a fight at the Baron river. Nocturne ulted in but miscoordinated with Orianna, whose ult hit no one. Lee Sin then used a ward hop and R-flash to interrupt Miss Fortune's ult, Alistar followed with a Q-flash knocking up three, then W to push Miss Fortune into his teammates. Meanwhile, Gragas teleported in and used his ult to cut off HLE's retreat. LYON's teamfight was picture-perfect, securing a 0-for-3 and taking the Baron uncontested. After getting the Hextech Dragon Soul, they had a 5k gold lead. HLE tried to split-push and catch Saint's Akali in the bot lane, but Akali's clever Zhonya's Hourglass dodged all of HLE's damage and CC. LYON's reinforcements arrived, and they crushed HLE with a 1-for-5 ace, ending the game. Both LYON carries had zero deaths and were super-fed, leading the team to a 1-1 tie!

Game 3

LYON: Gwen, Skarner, Viktor, Lucian, Milio

HLE: Rumble, Vi, Yasuo, Kog'Maw, Lulu

Early on, Inspired's Skarner threw a Q near bot lane before farming, forcing Gumayusi's Kog'Maw to back off from Lucian, wasting his "Bone Plating". Although HLE's bot lane had push priority, when they hit level 2 and Kog'Maw activated W, LYON's Lucian-Milio combo smartly retreated, not giving Kog'Maw a chance to poke. Upon reaching level 2, the Lucian-Milio combo counter-attacked aggressively. Kog'Maw, without W, had overextended and couldn't retreat under turret. Both ADCs used barrier, and Lucian got first blood on Kog'Maw!

After the bot lane kill, LYON continued to press their advantage. Skarner ganked bot, tower-diving to help Lucian kill Kog'Maw again. HLE's bot lane rhythm was completely broken, but Kanavi's Vi stepped up, killing Skarner twice in the top jungle and getting good farm. Early on, both teams had clear strategies: LYON "camped" bot lane, with Skarner hitting level 6 and continuing the 3v2 dive, giving Lucian a double kill. Meanwhile, HLE ganked top and killed Gwen, followed by Zeus's Rumble solo-killing her. Gwen died twice in a row and had a terrible development.

At 13 minutes, Yasuo swapped to bot lane to clear waves but was caught by LYON's three-man dive. HLE's support arrived in time, and Vi killed the 4/0 Lucian, helping HLE get a 2-for-4 and regain the tempo. LYON's early bot lane advantage vanished entirely. The bot outer turret fell, and they could only watch HLE take the dragon uncontested. HLE steadily snowballed around Kanavi's Vi, and wherever Vi went, LYON had to avoid conflict. Before Baron spawned, LYON lost all three outer turrets, HLE had two dragons, and a 4k gold lead.

In the mid-game, HLE aggressively invaded LYON's bot jungle, killing Gwen who had no flash, then secured the Hextech Dragon Soul point. After recalling and healing, HLE grouped for Baron, forcing Viktor to teleport, then they backed off. The teams skirmished mid. Zeka's Yasuo suddenly went "crazy" and used E to dive into LYON's backline alone, getting instantly killed. LYON decisively chased with numbers advantage, got a 0-for-3, then turned to take Baron! Viktor also found Vi in HLE's top jungle, taking the 1090 gold bounty. LYON had a 0-for-4 total, completely reversing the situation!

HLE, stunned by the turn, made another fatal mistake: Kog'Maw and Lulu tried to defend the mid outer turret with low HP, but Lucian dove under turret and ulted to kill Kog'Maw. HLE then came one by one like "grandpa saving grandkids", and LYON picked them off one by one for a 0-for-5 ace, taking the mid inhibitor turret and leaving with a 3k gold lead and a great position. Eventually, HLE chased Skarner recklessly in their own top jungle, even using Vi's ult but failing to kill him. LYON blocked HLE's path back to mid, forcing them to retreat to their top inhibitor turret, and Lucian easily took down the two nexus turrets. LYON completed a massive comeback, winning 2-1 to secure match point in the BO5, just one step away from the finals!

Game 4

LYON: Jayce, Pantheon, Annie, Mel, Pyke

HLE: Swain, Naafiri, Aurora, Caitlyn, Karma

Early on, both teams had kills on the sidelines: Zeus's Swain forced Dhokla's Jayce back to base at level 1. LYON's bot lane, with Pyke's precise Q and ignite, forced Caitlyn's double summoners, allowing Mel to hold her own in a 1v2 bot. Pyke then roamed top, and although Naafiri counter-ganked LYON's jungle-support, LYON's numbers advantage gave them first blood on Swain. HLE's top-jungle fought back for a 2-for-2, barely breaking even.

The top lane became the main battlefield early, with both teams' top-jungle-support frequently clashing in a back-and-forth. LYON got a total of 3-for-2 and secured all three Voidgrubs, while HLE took the first dragon. Kanavi's Naafiri got all five of HLE's kills, making him HLE's biggest advantage. At 12 minutes, Naafiri tried to steal LYON's red buff but was surrounded, flashing down the dragon pit to escape. However, Aurora was killed by Pyke's ult in the front, and HLE couldn't break through despite Naafiri's advantage.

LYON knew HLE's mid-jungle was their engine, so they continued to target Zeka's Aurora after he swapped to top. Isles's Pyke hid in a bush, landed a Q predicting Aurora's movement, then stunned her with E while she was in W stealth. Swain's teleport arrived late, and he died for free. LYON got a 0-for-2 and took the top outer turret. HLE could only take the dragon to mitigate losses. Before Baron spawned, LYON invaded HLE's top jungle but was met by Swain's ult, as Zeus's Swain caught multiple LYON members with his E, helping HLE get a 0-for-3 to stabilize. HLE also got the Earth Dragon Soul point, firmly controlling the map.

In the mid-game, LYON's turret-taking pressure suppressed Caitlyn, taking HLE's top inner and mid outer turrets, snowballing a 3k gold lead. At 25 minutes, LYON grouped to invade HLE's bot jungle. Naafiri ulted to engage on Jayce, and LYON focused him down. Zeus's Swain stepped up again, using his ult with Rylai's slow to chase, leading HLE to a 2-for-4 at the dragon river, sounding the counterattack!

After respawning, LYON went to the dragon river for a desperate fight, but their double AP carries couldn't deal with Swain's ult, and Jayce's poke was negligible. HLE got a 0-for-3, secured the Earth Dragon Soul, and then took Baron! Finally, HLE pushed the bot inhibitor, got another 0-for-3, and ended the game, forcing the BO5 into a decisive game! The battle song, rise!

Game 5

HLE: Aatrox, Nidalee, Ahri, Kalista, Blitzcrank

LYON: Shen, Xin Zhao, Sylas, Xayah, Renata

Early on, Dhokla's Shen used his champion's advantage to heavily pressure Zeus's Aatrox in the first three levels, but couldn't get a bigger lead. Delight's signature Blitzcrank was oppressive in lane, hooking both LYON bot laners, helping Kalista gain lane priority. Ahri, upon hitting level 6, used a full combo with ignite to send Sylas back to base. HLE had a big advantage in the bot side of the map. Nidalee quickly invaded LYON's bot jungle, and Blitzcrank hooked Renata from a bush, forcing her double summoners. At 6 minutes, HLE's bot lane initiated on Xayah, but Renata's summoners were still down. Shen tried to ult but was interrupted by Aatrox, and Blitzcrank got first blood on Xayah.

Early on, the bot lane became the main battlefield. HLE predicted LYON's 4v2 dive from mid-jungle, and Aatrox teleported down before Shen could, helping Zeka's Ahri get a triple kill. HLE got a 1-for-3 and gained momentum! LYON's mid and bot outer turrets fell quickly, and HLE secured all three Voidgrubs plus the first dragon, quickly snowballing a 5k gold lead.

At 15 minutes, LYON grouped to invade HLE's top jungle. Although they focused Nidalee and killed her, Aatrox ulted like a god, and HLE still got a 1-for-4 victory! Before Baron spawned, LYON's top outer turret fell, HLE had two dragons, and Kalista solo-killed the mid inner turret. LYON's mid lane was wide open, so they gave up the turret and tried to ambush in HLE's bot jungle. Blitzcrank hooked Xin Zhao, and HLE picked off one by one for a 0-for-3, then took the freshly spawned Baron.

In the mid-game, the gold gap exceeded 10k. Zeka's Ahri solo-killed Sylas bot lane, melting him with the massive item advantage. LYON was hopeless and couldn't fight back. HLE broke both the mid and bot inhibitor turrets, ignored LYON's two nexus turrets, and got a 0-for-5 ace to end the game, narrowly defeating LYON 3-2. They would face BLG again in the MSI finals on July 12 at 4 PM!