Vitality Surpass Astralis with Historic Win in CS2 Tournaments

IEM Krakow was more than a seasonal trophy. As the successor to IEM Katowice, it carried historical weight, and Vitality embraced that pressure from start to finish. Their run through the event was composed and authoritative, cruising through the group stage, surviving a tough test against Aurora, and dismantling MOUZ in the semifinals before meeting FURIA in the final.

The grand final followed a familiar Vitality script. Mirage slipped away after a late collapse, but the response was immediate and ruthless. Inferno, Nuke, and Overpass showcased Vitality at their best, disciplined map control, sharp CT sides, and decisive clutch situations. The 3-1 scoreline felt inevitable once the series settled.

ZywOo Keeps Cementing His Place Among The Best CS2 Players With Another MVP Performance

Mathieu "ZywOo" Herbaut was the clear centerpiece of the final and the tournament. He finished the grand final with a 1.66 rating, 90-41 K-D, and 101 ADR, while posting a 1.59 rating across the entire event, the best Big Event rating of his career.

Image source This MVP medal was ZywOo's 29th overall and his first of 2026 after a dominant Player of the Year campaign in 2025. From pistol round impact to late-round closers, he dictated the tempo of every map and left FURIA with no room to breathe.

Map vetoes and execution tilt the series

After Mirage slipped away, Vitality's map pool depth became decisive.

Image source

Inferno highlighted their refined T-side structure.

Image source

Nuke turned into a defensive masterclass that ended FURIA's long win streak on the map.

Image source

Overpass closed the door through composure and superior mid-round calling. Contributions from flameZ, apEX, and mezii ensured Vitality never relied on one player alone.

Image source

A historic milestone for Vitality

With the Krakow victory, Vitality moved to 20 Big Event titles, overtaking Astralis at 19. The milestone cements their place at the top of Counter-Strike history and signals a clear shift from the Astralis era to one defined by longevity, adaptability, and sustained dominance.

Image source

For Pick'ems players, the message is simple. Vitality have become the default safe pick in elite matchups. Fading them is now a true risk play, one that only makes sense when trying to separate from the pack.

Grand Slam momentum continues

Krakow also moved Vitality within one trophy of completing ESL Grand Slam VI. With prior wins at IEM Dallas 2025 and ESL Pro League Season 22, they now hold three eligible titles this cycle. Five chances remain, with IEM Rio offering the earliest opportunity to close it out.

Vitality did not just win Krakow. They strengthened their grip on the present and future of CS2.

TL;DR

• Vitality beat FURIA 3-1 to win IEM Krakow 2026
• ZywOo earned MVP with the best Big Event rating of his career
• The win gave Vitality their 20th Big Event title, surpassing Astralis
• Vitality are now one trophy away from ESL Grand Slam VI
• They remain the benchmark team for top-level Pick'ems decisions

Cover image source