FlyQuest decimate Liquid to fly OCE flag into Stage 2 at IEM Cologne Major

Asia will have a second team representative at the second stage of a major after FlyQuest converted their round five series against Team Liquid 2-0 (13-2, 13-).

The massacre began on Anubis, where FlyQuest showed no quarter with a stifling CT side jam packed full of confidence from yesterday's victory over THUNDERdOWNUNDER.

Vexite (1.80, 14-8) was loud from the get-go, getting into Liquid's heads between rounds, while story (2.08, 20-5) managed to drop 14 kills on CT — three of his teammates managed double digits in the first half.

FlyQuest didn't stop at halftime, quickly converting the monstrous 10-2 lead into a 13-2 map win, their biggest map win at a big tournament in over six months.

Liquid looked to bounce back on Inferno, winning a vital clutch against former teammate jks — but jks hit straight back a round later with a one-versus-two of his own which reset the North American squad and saw FQ sprint to a 6-1 lead.

Liquid couldn't find back-to-back rounds, however, with FlyQuest's built-up economy barely scratched. While story found plenty of AWP kills, it was the rifling duo of INS and jks dismantling Liquid's T-side.

At 9-3 and with their backs to the wall, Liquid fought for the pistol but the FQ boys never let up, snatching the T-side opener and converting the follow-up to leave Liquid in tatters. Adding insult to injury, FlyQuest took an (almost) all-Glock round, securing the whitewash with a 13-5 win.

It's a historic win for FlyQuest, who until this week in Cologne looked on the ropes after a season of limited competition and lacklustre results.

After f**king a few PickEms with their opening win against SINNERS, it was imperative they convert their elimination matches against TdU and Liquid, and while they didn't beat a team that progressed to Stage 2, the growth in confidence after their first chance to practice and play over a longer period was evident.

• Read more: IEM Cologne Major 2026 - Stage 1: Full coverage hub

They won't have long to reset, with Stage 2 beginning tomorrow. FlyQuest's opener will be South American squad 9z, while for Liquid, it's a long flight home — and more than likely mass roster changes — after a season to forget.