Paper Rex defeated Team Liquid 2-1 in the opening match of the VALORANT Champions Shanghai 2026. The series went the full three maps, marking Paper Rex's first victory of the tournament.
Both teams are in the same group as G2 and TYLOO. The outcome of this opening match will impact their standing in the subsequent group stage, with both sides eager to avoid an initial defeat.
Paper Rex chose Abyssal City for the first map. Team Liquid tied the score after trailing 0-4, but Paper Rex won four consecutive rounds to end the first half 8-4. After switching sides, Paper Rex secured both the pistol and bonus rounds, ultimately taking the map 13-4. Player something also recorded his first five-kill round of the tournament.
The momentum shifted on the second map, Hidden Sanctuary. Several Paper Rex players failed to maintain their form from the first map, with something still trying to keep his team in the game. Team Liquid gained the upper hand on the attack side, taking the map 13-7 to tie the series 1-1.
On the decider map, Lotus Garden, Paper Rex started strong, building a 9-2 lead. Team Liquid fought back, seeing a chance for a comeback even while trailing 8-10, but Jinggg secured a double kill in a crucial round to help Paper Rex hold their advantage. Paper Rex then won another round despite being outnumbered 4-vs-5.
d4v41 finally clinched a five-kill round on their third match point opportunity, helping Paper Rex win Lotus Garden 13-10 and secure a 2-1 series victory.