LOL-MSI: HLE displayed remarkable resilience, defeating BLG 3-2 in a revenge match to win the MSI title!

On July 12, 2026, the 2026 MSI Mid-Season Invitational reached its "final showdown" — the championship match between LPL's first seed BLG and LCK's first seed HLE! In the first game, HLE capitalized on Kanavi's hot-handed Lee Sin to take the lead, but BLG quickly adjusted. In the second game, Xun's Jarvan IV excelled at ganking and map control, leading the team to tie the series. Ultimately, HLE showed incredible tenacity, winning 3-2 in a revenge victory over BLG to claim the MSI championship! This was also HLE's first MSI title in team history.

Game 1

BLG: Renekton, Naafiri, Viktor, Ezreal, Bard

HLE: Ambessa, Lee Sin, Orianna, Caitlyn, Karma

At the start, Bin's Renekton played aggressively in the top lane, pushing the wave. Zeus's Ambessa called Kanavi's Lee Sin for a gank top. Renekton used Flash to retreat but was still caught by HLE's top-jungle double Flash combo, and Lee Sin secured first blood.

In the early game, BLG had lane priority in the top and mid lanes, while HLE's bot lane pushed hard. HLE's bot lane priority extended to the jungle, allowing Lee Sin to take the Hextech dragon without pressure. In exchange, BLG took two Voidgrubs. After Lee Sin reached level 6, he continued to target the top lane: Ambessa used her ultimate to grab Renekton, and Lee Sin followed up with damage to secure the kill. BLG retaliated with a top lane gank, sending top, jungle, support, and mid to dive and kill Ambessa under tower. HLE responded by taking the second dragon to mitigate the loss.

At the 15th minute, HLE was the first to rotate to the top river, using their numbers advantage to kill BLG's mid and jungle. After securing the Rift Herald, BLG killed Lee Sin to slightly reduce the loss, but Caitlyn soloed BLG's bot lane first tower. HLE used the Herald to push down the mid tower, firmly holding the tempo advantage. Before Baron Nashor spawned, BLG grouped to take the top tower, while HLE had all three dragons, building a 3k gold lead.

In the mid game, Zeus's Ambessa initiated the dragon soul teamfight by using her ultimate to grab Ezreal, leading HLE to a 1-for-3 trade. Gumayusi's Caitlyn got a triple kill. Fortunately, BLG managed to steal the dragon, interrupting HLE's soul rhythm. HLE recalled and healed up before heading straight for Baron. Ambessa once again flanked the backline, isolating BLG's dual carries. HLE split BLG's formation and defeated them one by one, securing a 2-for-4 trade and taking Baron. Bin's Renekton managed to swap with Caitlyn before dying, preventing HLE's Baron-buffed minions from pushing high ground, buying time for BLG's carries to farm.

Due to BLG's early loss of top and mid outer towers, they had severe vision deficits in the top half of the jungle. Although they waited out HLE's Baron buff, HLE waited for Baron to respawn and used river vision advantage to rush the third Baron. BLG arrived too late and their retreat path to mid was blocked, so they lost the mid inhibitor tower for free. At the 37th minute, the teams fought for lane priority in mid. Lee Sin landed a long-range Q on Ezreal, waited for Ezreal to use E, then followed up with a second Q, a ward hop, and a Flash R to kick Ezreal into his teammates, helping HLE secure a 1-for-4 trade and unlock the Infernal Soul. Finally, HLE pushed BLG's bot lane high ground, got another 1-for-4, and ended the game in one push, taking a 1-0 lead.

Game 2

HLE: Yorick, Qiyana, Ahri, Ziggs, Camille

BLG: Rumble, Jarvan IV, Cassiopeia, Lucian, Shen

At the start, Xun's Jarvan IV ganked top at level 3. Although Zeus's Yorick failed to dodge Jarvan's EQ combo with Flash, Bin's Rumble also failed to dodge Yorick's E while chasing with Flash, allowing Yorick to get first blood on Rumble before being killed by Jarvan. Then Qiyana ganked mid successfully: Ahri used E Flash to charm Cassiopeia, and Qiyana added damage to give Ahri the kill.

In the early game, the teams frequently clashed in small skirmishes in the top half of the map, trading blows evenly. BLG excelled in the Voidgrub teamfight with superior positioning and mechanics. Xun's Jarvan IV was highly focused, using Flash to dodge an ambush Qiyana ultimate from the brush. BLG fought 4v5 and got a 1-for-2 trade, taking two grubs and the first dragon. However, Bin's Rumble had a poor 1/5 KDA, falling behind in farm.

After the Rift Herald spawned, Camille initiated a gank in the top river, using her E and R to lock down Jarvan, and Ziggs got the kill. BLG fought 4v5 without fear: Lucian used his ultimate from the flank to kill Ziggs. BLG patiently kited and split HLE's formation, securing a 2-for-4 trade and gaining momentum. However, HLE's team respawned and killed the Herald, then pushed BLG's top first tower. Before Baron, BLG got a 1-for-2 in the dragon river and secured the Ocean Soul point. HLE took BLG's mid and bot first towers, leading by 3k gold.

In the mid game, HLE attempted to pick off isolated targets on the side lanes. Their mid and jungle waited in BLG's bot lane brush to engage Cassiopeia, but Cassiopeia, with a fully stacked Rod of Ages, was very tanky. She delayed long enough for Shen's ultimate to land, and Jarvan arrived in time. Cassiopeia used an R Flash to help BLG get a 0-for-2 trade, thwarting HLE's pick attempt. At the 24th minute, BLG got a 2-for-2 in the dragon soul teamfight and secured the Ocean Soul. Then BLG caught Yorick pushing bot alone, completely breaking HLE's rhythm.

BLG recalled and healed up, then invaded HLE's top jungle. Xun's Jarvan IV hid in a brush to ambush Ahri, who was checking vision. He used a clever "feint to the east, attack to the west": EQ knocked up Ahri on the left, then used his ultimate to trap Ziggs on the right (who had no Flash), and finally EQ'd away to safety. This allowed BLG to kill HLE's bot duo 0-for-2. Meanwhile, HLE's top, mid, and jungle were low on health, so they could only watch BLG take Baron and the Elder Dragon uncontested! BLG's gold lead surged to 5k, and they ultimately pushed HLE's bot high ground, getting a 0-for-4 team wipe and ending the game, tying the series 1-1!

Game 3

BLG: Jax, Nocturne, Annie, Varus, Alistar

HLE: Olaf, Xin Zhao, Ryze, Xayah, Rakan

Bin's Jax chose Flash and Ignite for this game. BLG's top, mid, and jungle invaded HLE's red side at level 1 to steal the Raptors. Jax activated his E (Counter Strike) to force Xin Zhao's Flash. Xun's Nocturne planned a path from top to bottom. Taking advantage of Kanavi's reluctance to give up camps, Nocturne, after discovering his own Raptors were stolen, called ON's Alistar to the red buff area, where they found Xin Zhao without Flash. Nocturne easily secured first blood.

BLG's level 1 strategy completely disrupted Xin Zhao's jungle path. In the early game, HLE's three lanes received little support from their jungler. Nocturne successfully ganked top twice, killing Olaf, and quickly reached level 6 while Xin Zhao was only level 4. When HLE's jungle and support tried to steal a dragon, they were spotted. Nocturne, with his high level and execute threshold, smited the dragon away. A low-health Xin Zhao flashed back to his jungle to farm a Gromp, but Viper's Varus used a long-range Q+E combo to kill him.

Despite being pressured in the jungle, HLE did not panic. They slowly found a breakthrough in the bot lane, killing Varus and Alistar, and took the second dragon. In exchange, BLG took all three Voidgrubs. HLE also pushed BLG's bot first tower, temporarily stabilizing the game. Before Baron, BLG used the Rift Herald to break HLE's bot first tower, and secured the dragon at the cost of Varus's life, which was a fair trade. When HLE defended their top tower, BLG executed a tower dive, getting a 2-for-3 trade and pushing the top tower, firmly taking the tempo advantage!

In the mid game, the teams traded skill shots in HLE's top jungle without committing. However, Zeka's Ryze was caught while farming Krugs, and HLE's top second tower fell. BLG immediately moved to the dragon river, securing the Ocean Soul point without a fight. Trailing, HLE desperately tried to turn the tables. Ryze used his ultimate to send Olaf into BLG's mid tower to kill Varus, but BLG's entire team was nearby. They saved Varus and killed Olaf, though HLE managed to destroy the mid tower before retreating.

At the 27th minute, HLE was the first to position at the dragon pit, attempting to quickly take the dragon with Xayah's feathers and Xin Zhao's smite. However, Xun's Nocturne was decisive in the smite battle, successfully helping BLG secure the Ocean Soul! HLE's jungle and support both died, and the remaining three could only watch BLG take Baron uncontested! HLE's top and mid inhibitors fell, and they were 9k gold behind, with no hope left. They chose to engage Jax, who was split-pushing bot, but Gumayusi's Xayah failed to use her ultimate and died instantly. BLG crushed them with a 1-for-5 ace, ending the game and taking a 2-1 lead, just one step away from the MSI trophy!

Game 4

BLG: K'Sante, Kindred, Taliyah, Mel, Skarner

HLE: Swain, Trundle, Twisted Fate, Ashe, Seraphine

At the start, the mid laners traded damage. ON's Skarner suddenly appeared from the flank, forcing Zeka's Twisted Fate to use Flash. Kanavi's Trundle, pathing from top to bottom, noticed that Kindred's mark had spawned on the top river scuttle crab, so he knew Kindred would go for the mark. Since BLG's bot lane was pushed deep, Trundle ganked bot, helping Ashe get first blood on Mel. ON's Skarner pinned Trundle to the wall, and the tower damage killed Trundle, who also used a death Flash. Mel respawned and teleported back, losing minimal farm.

HLE naturally wanted to ensure Swain's farm, so after K'Sante used Q Flash to force Swain's Flash, Swain called Trundle for a gank, killing K'Sante. Then Seraphine roamed top, granting Kindred her second mark. However, Skarner overextended trying to chase Swain, not realizing Trundle was nearby. HLE's top-jungle got a 0-for-2, killing BLG's jungle and support. Kindred's rhythm was disrupted, while Swain got two kills and accelerated his farm. After this, HLE took the first dragon and all three Voidgrubs, gaining early momentum.

BLG tried to play around Kindred for map control. In the dragon river, HLE used Twisted Fate's W (Gold Card) and Ashe's arrow to lock down Kindred, killing him. Skarner sacrificed himself to cover the retreat, and HLE got another 0-for-2, taking the Infernal dragon and pushing BLG's bot first tower. At the 14th minute, Kanavi's Trundle solo-killed Skarner in BLG's bot jungle with a Flash, but Kindred got the shutdown gold and her 6th mark. Before Baron, both top laners traded top towers. Swain teleported to the dragon river before K'Sante, ulted and chased BLG's four members, killing Kindred. HLE then cleaned up with a 1-for-4, securing the Cloud Soul point and destroying BLG's bot second tower.

In the mid game, BLG tried to kill Swain in the top lane while his ultimate was on cooldown. This quickly turned into a 4v5 fight. Despite K'Sante not being present, BLG maxed out their kiting, managing a 4-for-4 trade to stabilize temporarily. At the 23rd minute, ON's Skarner tried a fancy play in the Baron pit, attempting to pull Trundle from above the wall with his ultimate, but Trundle didn't fall for it. Instead, HLE's Twisted Fate flanked from behind with his ultimate, and Swain ulted to trap all BLG members. Swain dominated the fight with a triple kill, and HLE got a 0-for-5 ace, taking Baron and the Cloud Soul for a massive victory.

While defending their top high ground, BLG found an opportunity to kill Swain, surviving HLE's Baron buff duration. However, HLE used a flexible 1-3-1 split push to take BLG's bot inhibitor, extending their lead to 8k gold. HLE waited for Baron to respawn, ambushed in BLG's top jungle, and forced Kindred's Flash and ultimate. Eventually, HLE got a 1-for-5 ace in the Baron river, ending the game and tying the series 2-2, forcing a decisive game. The battle song begins!

Game 5

BLG: Aatrox, Vi, Aurora, Miss Fortune, Neeko

HLE: Dr. Mundo, Pantheon, Sylas, Yunana, Lulu

At the start, HLE's mid and bot lanes helped Kanavi's Pantheon invade BLG's bot jungle. Although Vi managed to defend his Raptors, the bot lane duo traded Barrier and Heal. Yunana damaged Miss Fortune heavily, and Aurora lost three melee minions in mid, allowing Sylas to hit level 2 first and pressure Aurora.

Both teams farmed safely until level 6. HLE's bot lane pushed too deep and was ganked by Vi from behind. Vi's Q Flash missed Yunana, but ON's Neeko used a crucial Flash E to root both HLE bot laners, allowing BLG's carries to each get a kill. BLG got a 0-for-2 trade, recovering from their earlier disadvantage!

After losing the bot lane, HLE had to give up the dragon and instead took three Voidgrubs. When the dragon respawned, BLG positioned first in the pit. HLE arrived and engaged. BLG's squishy champions were already low on health from the Water Dragon's damage, caught in a pincer attack. HLE blocked the pit entrance and got a 1-for-3 trade, taking the Water Dragon and taking the gold lead.

At the 15th minute, BLG's jungle and support engaged mid on Yunana, who had no Flash. Miss Fortune used her ultimate to kill her. Sylas copied Aurora's ultimate and traded for Miss Fortune. BLG, with their mid tower, got a 1-for-3 trade to stabilize. Before Baron, BLG's mid and jungle pushed HLE's top first tower, while HLE grouped to take the Chemtech Drake, which helped Dr. Mundo transition smoothly into his tank form at level 16. BLG's gold lead was less than 2k, and the game remained tight.

In the mid game, Zeus's Dr. Mundo used the Warmog's Armor passive in the bot lane to ignore Aatrox's poke, sustaining infinitely. He solo-killed the bot tower while ignoring Aatrox's damage. In exchange, BLG took HLE's mid tower. At the 24th minute, HLE positioned first at the dragon river. Xun's Vi used her ultimate aggressively to engage, but was dragged into HLE's backline by Sylas, isolated and killed. Dr. Mundo tanked three champions on the flank, forcing BLG's carries to retreat, allowing HLE to secure the Chemtech Soul point.

While defending their mid tower, BLG focused on forcing Dr. Mundo's Flash, but Mundo healed to full with his ultimate. HLE got a 2-for-3 trade and pushed the mid tower. Then they got a 1-for-3 trade in the Baron river and took Baron. Dr. Mundo, at level 17 with nearly 300 stacks of Heartsteel, was an unstoppable tank. However, HLE initiated a dragon teamfight without Mundo present. BLG traded their carries for a 2-for-4, taking the Chemtech dragon and keeping the finals alive.

HLE took advantage of BLG's recall timing to secure the second Baron. While pushing mid, BLG's jungle and support engaged Yunana, and Miss Fortune used her ultimate to kill her. With a numbers advantage, BLG got a 3-for-5 ace, wiping HLE and taking the gold lead! In the end, HLE got a 0-for-3 in the Baron river, pushed the mid inhibitor, and ended the game in one push, winning 3-2 in a revenge victory over BLG to claim the MSI championship!