The MongolZ fail to make Playoffs at IEM Cologne Major 2026 after disappointing Stage 3 campaign
The only remaining Asian representatives at the ongoing IEM Cologne Major 2026, The MongolZ, have been eliminated after their loss to 9z in the Stage 3 2-2 bracket game. The loss sees The MongolZ's three consecutive Major Playoff streak come to an end as they exit the Major in Stage 3 with a 2-3 record.
A quick Banana pop saw The MongolZ kick off their pick of Infenro with the T pistol but they weren't able to capitalise on the conversions as a back and forth half saw 9z fight back to tie up the opening half. A late B split caught The MongolZ off guard as 9z evened out the pistols on Inferno and take the lead on the map for the first time. After the conversions from 9z, it was The MongolZ picking up the first gun round as mzinho held on to the A site with a massive triple kill from mini-pit. That triple kill and a bLitz 1v1 against luchov was the only two rounds The MongolZ found on their CT side as they were out-dueled which saw 9z ease to a 13-8 win.
Source: ESL
An ace from dgt saw 9z convert a 3v5 B hit to start their map pick of Overpass with the T pistol. Impact from dgt saw 9z go 5-1 up in no time before the pistols around 910's AWP found The MongolZ's second as they finally found some rhythm on their CT side. The MongolZ went on to tie up the score at 5-5. The MongolZ took the lead at the half but another shocker of a T side saw 9z storm to a 13-8 win and wrap up the series 2-0. 9z's win sees them make the IEM Cologne Major 2026 Playoffs while The MongolZ go home with a 2-3 record.
9zThe MongolZ| 9z |
K - D | +/- | ADR | KAST | Rating 3.0 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Franco 'dgt' Garcia |
44 - 21 | +23 | 109.2 | 85.7% | 1.76 |
 Luciano 'luchov' Herrera |
37 - 26 | +11 | 99.7 | 83.3% | 1.34 |
 Matias 'HUASOPEEK' Ibañez Hernandez |
29 - 25 | +4 | 68.2 | 76.2% | 1.16 |
| Ignacio 'meyern' Meyer |
23 - 20 | +3 | 51.8 | 76.2% | 0.91 |
| Maximiliano 'max' Gonzalez |
22 - 26 | -4 | 65.5 | 81.0% | 0.90 |
| The MongolZ |
K - D | +/- | ADR | KAST | Rating 3.0 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Ayush 'mzinho' Batbold |
34 - 30 | +4 | 86.5 | 69.0% | 1.27 |
| Garidmagnai 'bLitz' Byambasuren |
21 - 34 | -13 | 75.0 | 66.7% | 0.92 |
| Anarbileg 'cobrazera' Uuganbayar |
27 - 34 | -7 | 68.6 | 69.0% | 0.81 |
| Usukhbayar '910' Banzragch |
21 - 29 | -8 | 57.1 | 59.5% | 0.74 |
| Sodbayar 'Techno' Munkhbold |
15 - 28 | -13 | 43.9 | 57.1% | 0.59 |
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