G2, FUT earn dramatic wins to reach CS:GO quarterfinals at EWC

G2 Esports and FUT Esports came from behind to record wins on Wednesday as the playoffs began in the Counter-Strike: Global Offensive event at the Esports World Cup in Paris.

All four Wednesday matches in the round of 16 ended up with 2-1 scores, highlighted by G2 Esports overtaking Astralis as well as FUT Esports downing magic. FURIA got past Aurora Gaming, and MOUZ nipped GamerLegion.

A double-elimination group stage eliminated half of the 32 teams. The playoffs, which run through Sunday, will consist of best-of-three matches until the grand final, which will be best-of-five.

The championship team will receive $600,000 and 1,000 Esports World Cup club points. The runner-up will get $340,000 and 750 points. Tournament organizers already announced that tickets for the final day at Accor Arena are sold out.

On Wednesday, Astralis opened with a 13-6 win on Ancient before G2 Esports recovered to take Dust II 13-6 and Inferno 13-7. Bosnia and Herzegovina's Nemanja "huNter'" Kovac led G2 Esports with 50 kills and a plus-17 kill-death differential.

After magic claimed Ancient 13-9, FUT Esports prevailed 13-7 on Anubis and 13-8 on Mirage. Ukraine's Dmytro "dem0n" Myroshnychenko powered FUT Esports with 57 kills and a plus-15 K-D differential.

FURIA logged a 13-11 victory on Ancient, but Aurora Gaming pulled level by taking Nuke 16-14 in overtime. FURIA closed the series with a 13-9 triumph on Mirage, taking the last 10 rounds. Brazil's Kaike "KSCERATO" Cerato and Kazakhstan's Danil "molodoy" Golubenko each produced 64 kills, and molodoy had a team-best plus-15 K-D differential.

MOUZ jumped in front with a 13-11 decision on Mirage. GamerLegion extended the match in dramatic fashion, capturing Ancient 22-19 in triple overtime, but MOUZ took Nuke 13-11. Israel's Dorian "xertioN" Berman propelled MOUZ with 69 kills and a plus-9 K-D differential.

The round of 16 concludes Thursday with four matches:

Natus Vincere vs. Legacy

Team Falcons vs. The MongolZ

FaZe Clan vs. Team Vitality

B8 vs. Team Spirit

The first quarterfinal match also will be contested on Thursday, with G2 Esports opposing FURIA. FUT Esports will face off with MOUZ in the quarterfinals on Friday.

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive -- Esports World Cup prize pool (with money winnings and Esports World Cup club points)

1. $600,000, 1,000 points

2. $340,000, 750 points

3. $190,000, 500 points

4. $110,000, 300 points

5-8. $60,000, 200 points

9-16. $35,000, no points -- Astralis, Aurora Gaming, magic, GamerLegion

17-24. $20,000, no points -- BIG, JiJieHao, MIBR, Ninjas in Pyjamas, PARIVISION, Lynn Vision Gaming, 9z Team, paiN Gaming

25-32. $10,000, no points -- Luminosity Gaming, M80, K27, BetBoom Team, 100 Thieves, TYLOO, 3DMAX, Wildcard

--Field Level Media