Cloud9 became the first top-five team in the world rankings to exit the PGL Major Antwerp after a 2-1 defeat to Imperial.
The Brazilians caused an almighty upset by knocking out the fourth-best team in the world rankings. Meanwhile Brazil are 20/1 to win the PUBG Nations Cup.
Imperial's 'Last Dance' squad, led by veteran Brazilian Gabriel "FalleN" Toledo, have been an afterthought for much of this Major but will now have the chance to qualify for the Champions Stage.
The result has to go down as a bitter disappointment for Cloud9, whose sole win from four matches at the Major came against Outsiders in their opening game.
Subsequently, they suffered defeats to Ninjas In Pyjamas and FaZe, before Monday’s loss to Imperial.
The series kicked off on Imperial’s pick of Overpass and three overtimes were needed to split the teams. Eventually, Imperial gained the upper hand and won the map 25-23, pulled over the line by FalleN and Fernando 'fer' Alvarenga’s heroics.
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Cloud9, as expected, battled back to win their choice of Vertigo 16-9, with the eight rounds posted on the attacking side of the map ultimately proving the difference in a one-sided affair.
The decider was also extremely one-sided, this time towards Imperial. Both fer and Vinicius 'VINI' Figueiredo were in no mood to exit the Major and at the half, Imperial led 12-3 after a dominant defensive side.
A shell-shocked Cloud9 had no response and exited Antwerp with a whimper, failing to post a defensive round and losing the map 16-3, with uncharacteristically lacklustre performances from Dmitry 'sh1ro' Sokolov and Timofey 'interz' Yakushin contributing to the heavy defeat.
Imperial will now face Copenhagen Flames in the final match of the Legends Stage, with the winner gaining the final spot in the Champions Stage.
