EDward Gaming Stuns Ninjas in Pyjamas.CN to Take Series Lead

The stakes could not have been higher in the LPL 2026 Season Split 2 Playoffs. With the series deadlocked at 1-1, Game 3 was a do-or-die moment to seize control of the bracket. While the pre-match analysts and prediction markets were heavily favoring Ninjas in Pyjamas.CN with a massive 75% win probability, the script was completely rewritten. Against all odds, EDward Gaming defied the projections, pulling off a stunning upset to take a 2-1 lead in the series.

Key Takeaways

• EDward Gaming dominated the scoreboard with a massive 22-10 kill advantage, effectively dismantling the favorites.
• Jwei delivered a legendary performance on Karma, posting a staggering 21.00 KDA to anchor the team's utility.
• Ninjas in Pyjamas.CN fell behind by a significant 4.8k gold margin, as the underdog's macro play stifled any comeback attempts.

Early Game

The draft phase set the stage for a tactical battle. Following the pre-game strategy, both teams focused on neutralizing high-pressure threats. EDward Gaming successfully implemented their plan to limit utility, while the matchup featured the high-impact Viktor for the underdogs' opponents. The early game appeared to be a struggle for control, but the momentum began to swing toward the underdogs much sooner than anyone expected. While Ninjas in.CN attempted to use the scaling of Aurora to stabilize, they found themselves unable to match the relentless pressure applied by the EDG jungle and bot lane.

The Turning Point

The momentum shifted violently during a mid-game skirmish that broke the back of the Ninjas in Pyjamas.CN composition. As the game approached the thirty-minute mark, the sheer efficiency of the EDG frontline became apparent. Xiaohao, playing a disruptive Trundle, managed to secure a 4/1/13 KDA, effectively neutralizing the enemy's ability to contest objectives. This period saw EDward Gaming secure their first baron, a massive objective that allowed them to begin a systematic siege of the map. The Ninjas in Pyjamas.CN players, including Guwon on Wukong, struggled to find any meaningful engages as the EDG frontline remained impenetrable.

Closing Out

As the clock ticked past 36 minutes, the weight of the gold deficit became insurmountable for the favorites. EDward Gaming showcased clinical execution, securing 4 dragons and 9 towers to choke the life out of the enemy base. The bot lane was a complete mismatch; Leave on Varus was an unstoppable force, finishing with a 10/2/6 performance and contributing 32.1% of his team's total damage. With 2 barons under their belt, the underdogs simply marched down mid, leaving the Ninjas in Pyjamas.CN with no way to respond to the overwhelming firepower.

Match Stats

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