The world of esports has seen monumental moments in recent years, with major tournaments delivering some of the most unforgettable plays, incredible upsets, and jaw-dropping victories. From nail-biting clutches to spectacular team fights, esports fans around the globe have been treated to an endless stream of excitement. These iconic moments not only define tournaments but also create legends within the gaming community.
Let’s take a look at some of the most thrilling and unforgettable highlights from major esports events that left a lasting impression on fans and competitors alike.
1. The Miracle at TI – Dota 2’s The International
Few esports events are as prestigious as Dota 2’s The International, and the 2024 edition gave us one of the most legendary moments in Dota history. During the grand finals, Team Liquid faced off against PSG.LGD in a series that would be remembered for its mind-blowing comebacks. The match culminated in a spectacular base defense, where Team Liquid managed to turn the game around with a well-coordinated combo, wiping PSG.LGD’s squad and pushing for an epic comeback.
- Highlight Moment: Nisha’s unstoppable Ember Spirit darted around the battlefield, delivering blow after blow, sealing the victory in one of the tournament’s greatest reversals.
Why It’s Unforgettable: The tension of a near-defeat followed by a flawless execution to swing the game in Team Liquid’s favor was a testament to their skill and perseverance.
2. The Double-Smoke Baron Steal – League of Legends World Championship
The League of Legends World Championship consistently delivers spectacular plays, but nothing compared to the heart-pounding double-smoke Baron steal during the 2024 semi-finals between T1 and Gen.G. Both teams fought tooth and nail for control of the game’s most important objective, and just as it seemed Gen.G would secure the Baron and the win, Oner from T1, with his Lee Sin, executed an unbelievable blind smite, stealing the Baron and swinging the match in T1’s favor.
- Highlight Moment: Oner’s perfectly timed Sonic Wave into Smite play was an iconic display of precision and timing.
Why It’s Unforgettable: This move shifted the momentum of the match, and in a game where every second counts, it was one of the most crucial moments in LoL’s competitive history.
3. The 1v4 Clutch – CS
Major Finals
In the grand finals of the Counter-Strike: Global Offensive Major, FaZe Clan’s broky delivered one of the best 1v4 clutches the scene has ever witnessed. With only a Deagle and his wits, broky found himself cornered against four players from Natus Vincere. The crowd held their breath as broky took out each player with immaculate precision, securing the round and eventually leading FaZe Clan to victory.
- Highlight Moment: broky’s final shot on s1mple after a perfect repositioning had fans and casters in disbelief.
Why It’s Unforgettable: Pulling off a clutch against a team like NAVI, in a grand final no less, solidified broky as one of the top clutch players in the game.
4. The Ace That Turned the Tide – Valorant Champions
The Valorant Champions tournament in 2024 saw an all-out battle between LOUD and Fnatic in the grand finals. With Fnatic leading in rounds, LOUD’s Less stepped up, delivering a jaw-dropping ace with Raze to secure a pivotal round. His use of Showstopper was timed to perfection, turning a lost round into a triumphant victory and bringing LOUD back into the game.
- Highlight Moment: Less’s Paint Shells and Showstopper combo resulted in a four-man kill, stunning Fnatic and giving LOUD the momentum to push through to victory.
Why It’s Unforgettable: The sheer brilliance of Less’s play not only swung the match but became a defining moment in Valorant history.
5. The Tactical Mastery – Rainbow Six Siege Invitational
The 2024 Rainbow Six Siege Invitational showcased a clash of tactical minds between Team Empire and Spacestation Gaming. The defining moment came when Scyther from Team Empire, left alone in a 1v3, demonstrated expert game knowledge and positioning, taking down all three players one by one, securing the round for his team.
- Highlight Moment: Scyther’s precise use of Thermite and the environment to corner and eliminate his opponents, turning a dire situation into a match-winning play.
Why It’s Unforgettable: In a game known for its tactical depth, Scyther’s clutch was a masterclass in patience, skill, and execution.
6. The Flash Ult Turnaround – Overwatch World Cup
The grand finals of the Overwatch World Cup saw South Korea facing off against Team USA in an epic showdown. The match’s turning point came when South Korea’s Profit, playing Tracer, used his ultimate Pulse Bomb in conjunction with LeeJaeGon’s Lucio’s Sound Barrier, wiping out four U.S. players in a stunning reversal during the final seconds of the game.
- Highlight Moment: Profit’s perfectly timed Pulse Bomb dropped at the heart of the U.S. team, creating chaos and securing the win.
Why It’s Unforgettable: The combination of fast reflexes and incredible teamwork at such a critical moment turned the tide of the match, sending South Korea to yet another championship victory.
7. Back-to-Back Overwatch Wins – Overwatch League Finals
The Overwatch League Finals saw Dallas Fuel come back from what seemed like an insurmountable deficit against San Francisco Shock. With both teams tied in the final series, Fuel’s Fearless managed to lead a heroic last push on King’s Row, executing flawless ult coordination that wiped the enemy team twice in rapid succession.
- Highlight Moment: Fearless’s combination of Reinhardt’s Earthshatter followed by Hanbin’s D.Va bomb caused the San Francisco Shock to crumble, sealing the championship.
Why It’s Unforgettable: The sheer coordination and timing required to pull off such a perfectly executed combo made this moment a standout in Overwatch history.
8. The Phantom Ace – Valorant Masters Berlin
At the 2024 Valorant Masters Berlin, TenZ from Sentinels cemented his status as one of the best in the game with an incredible ace using the Phantom. His quick reflexes and deadly accuracy allowed him to wipe out the opposing team in seconds, turning what looked like a lost round into a dominating win.
- Highlight Moment: TenZ’s fourth and fifth kills, coming in rapid succession with pinpoint headshots, left the audience in awe of his mechanical skill.
Why It’s Unforgettable: The fluidity of TenZ’s movements and his near-perfect aim made this ace a defining moment of the tournament.
Conclusion: Esports’ Unstoppable Rise
The esports scene continues to thrive, with each year delivering bigger tournaments, more intense competition, and unforgettable plays. From clutch moments to strategic genius, these highlights remind us why esports is one of the most exciting and fast-growing industries today. With more talent entering the scene and the stakes rising every year, the future promises even more iconic moments that will continue to leave fans in awe.