T1 hold off Paper Rex's comeback as 100 Thieves crush Nongshim in Shanghai

The lower bracket of VALORANT Champions Shanghai gave us two very different stories on the same day. On one side, T1 had to dig deep to close out their series against Paper Rex, an opponent that refused to go down without a fight and mounted a comeback that had everyone on the edge of their seats. On the other, 100 Thieves delivered a commanding performance against Nongshim and left no room for an upset. According to reporting from Esports Insider, both winners advance in the tournament's lower bracket.

Why does it matter? Because in the lower bracket there are no second chances. Every series is win-or-go-home, and how a team wins says as much as the result itself. T1 survive, but with questions about their ability to close out games; 100 Thieves, on the other hand, arrive with momentum and a confidence that could prove decisive in the rounds ahead. Two wins, two very different takeaways.

What you need to know

• T1 beat Paper Rex after holding off a comeback from their opponents.
• 100 Thieves dominated Nongshim with an emphatic performance.
• Both winners advance in the lower bracket of VALORANT Champions Shanghai.
• For Paper Rex and Nongshim, losing at this stage means elimination from the championship.

Surviving the lower bracket: the context

The lower bracket at Champions is probably the most brutal stage on the VALORANT competitive calendar. The teams here have already tasted defeat in the tournament and know that one more slip sends them home. That's why these series tend to be tense, mentally draining and leave little room to experiment. The source doesn't give map-by-map scores, so we won't speculate on numbers: what matters is the story of each matchup.

T1: an ugly win is still a win

Paper Rex have long been one of the most unpredictable teams in the scene. Their aggressive style and their ability to change the tempo of a match make them an extremely dangerous opponent even when they seem to be on the ropes. That T1 had to weather a comeback won't surprise anyone who follows Paper Rex; what T1 do deserve credit for is keeping their composure as the series was slipping away. In the lower bracket, survival is all that matters.

100 Thieves: a message to the rest of the field

100 Thieves were a completely different story. The word the source uses to describe their win over Nongshim is crushing, and at this point in a Champions event, that's worth its weight in gold. A comfortable win lets a team head into the next round with energy to spare, their game plan intact and without having shown too many cards. For whoever they face next, the warning is clear: this team is in great form.

Our take

Here in the Underworld Lordz newsroom, we're certain: T1 can't afford another series like that. Winning is what counts, sure, but letting an opponent claw their way back in the middle of the lower bracket is a red flag. Closing out games is a skill in its own right, and teams with title ambitions can't rely on weathering the storm every time the other side gains momentum. If T1 want to go deep, they need to learn to finish the job when they have the advantage.

100 Thieves, by contrast, need to manage their hot streak. Competitive history is full of teams that came charging into a decisive round and crashed out through overconfidence. Even so, it's hard not to get excited about a roster playing with that kind of clarity. If they stay disciplined, they could be the dark horse of this stage of the tournament.

For competitive players, the lesson of the day is very specific: the mental management of leads is what separates good teams from champions. And for content creators, Paper Rex prove once again that comebacks, even the ones that fall short, make for the best stories. That kind of series is perfect material for breakdowns of key rounds, reactions and community debates. You don't have to win to leave your mark.

What do you think?

T1 are still alive, but with more questions than answers, while 100 Thieves arrive with the wind at their backs. Do you think Paper Rex's comeback left T1 rattled, or stronger for what's ahead? Drop by the team chat or our Discord and let us know: who goes further in Shanghai, T1 or 100 Thieves?