Sentinels Upset Fnatic 2-1 to Win VCT Masters Madrid Championship

Sentinels pulled off one of the biggest upsets in Valorant esports history on Sunday, defeating European powerhouse Fnatic 2-1 to claim the VCT Masters Madrid championship in front of 12,000 fans at the WiZink Center in Spain.

The North American squad, led by superstar duelist TenZ, completed a remarkable tournament run that saw them defeat three of the world's top-five ranked teams. After dropping the opening map 13-9 on Icebox, Sentinels responded with dominant performances on Sunset (13-6) and Haven (13-8) to secure their first international title since 2021.

"This feels incredible," TenZ said during the trophy ceremony. "We've been working so hard to get back to this level, and to beat Fnatic in a grand final like this is a dream come true. The team chemistry we've built over the past few months really showed today."

Sentinels' tactical adjustments between maps proved decisive, with coach Rob Moore making crucial reads on Fnatic's aggressive site executions. Zekken's clutch performances on Haven, including a 1v3 retake in round 18, shifted momentum permanently in Sentinels' favor.

Fnatic entered the match as heavy favorites after their undefeated group stage performance, but struggled to contain Sentinels' unpredictable composition choices and mid-round adaptations. Derke and Chronicle played well individually for the Europeans, but couldn't match the collective firepower of the Sentinels roster.

The victory marks a significant resurgence for the Sentinels organization and North American Valorant as a region. With 50,000 in prize money and crucial VCT points secured, Sentinels have positioned themselves as serious contenders for the upcoming VCT Champions tournament. The upset victory serves as a reminder that in competitive Valorant, any team can rise to the occasion when preparation meets opportunity on the biggest stage.