Following 6 thrilling matches, Day 3 of the IEM Cologne Major 2026 has set the teams who will advance to the next round of the event. With several top sides missing out on qualification the day before, a few powerhouse teams will be booking their tickets today, ahead of the final day of the round.
As it stands
| Team | M | RW | RL | RD | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spirit | 3 | 52 | 10 | +42 | 3–0 |
| FUT | 3 | 59 | 48 | +11 | 3–0 |
| G2 | 4 | 89 | 71 | +18 | 3–1 |
| BetBoom | 4 | 63 | 52 | +11 | 3–1 |
| 9z | 4 | 56 | 56 | 0 | 3–1 |
| paiN | 4 | 70 | 58 | +12 | 2–2 |
| Legacy | 4 | 61 | 54 | +7 | 2–2 |
| Monte | 4 | 73 | 73 | 0 | 2–2 |
| TYLOO | 4 | 51 | 54 | -3 | 2–2 |
| B8 | 4 | 88 | 92 | -4 | 2–2 |
| BIG | 4 | 45 | 56 | -11 | 2–2 |
| MIBR | 4 | 53 | 67 | -14 | 1–3 |
| Astralis | 4 | 39 | 56 | -17 | 1–3 |
| M80 | 4 | 44 | 65 | -21 | 1–3 |
| GamerLegion | 3 | 48 | 60 | -12 | 0–3 |
| FlyQuest | 3 | 33 | 52 | -19 | 0–3 |
Highlights of the day
Astralis losing 2-0 to paiN saw them bow out of the event in what could only be described as a disappointing exit. B8 outlasting MIBR in a three-map thriller put an end to MIBR’s journey at the event in a game that could easily have gone either way. 9Z cruised past TYLOO, which ensured their qualification in the next round of play, putting TYLOO in the 2-2 bracket. Monte falling at the hands of BetBoom put them in need of another win to make it through, while BetBoom will be heading to Stage 3 with confidence. In the highlight game of the decade, G2 convincingly took down BIG with a dominant performance, winning with a dominant scoreline in back-to-back maps to ensure their ticket to Stage 3.
Stage 2 Day 3 Matches
| Match | Time | Format |
|---|---|---|
| Monte vs paiN | 17:30 | BO3 |
| Legacy vs TYLOO | 20:00 | BO3 |
| BIG vs B8 | 22:30 | BO3 |
Some upsets, some excitement, Stage 2 Day 3 matches gave us a few more teams who would be heading to the next stage of the IEM Cologne Major. As we approach the final day of Stage 2, curtains are ready to be drawn, with some going to Stage 3 with high hopes while others head to the airport with broken hearts.