Kha Y Tran The match between Ninjas in Pyjamas (NiP) and Invictus Gaming (IG), held on February 9, 2026, in the framework of LPL 2026 Split 1, delivered an intense and emotional showdown. However, after four dramatic games, NiP secured a 3–1 victory over IG, clearly showing their ambition to go deep in this season’s tournament.
Not only did NiP display more disciplined gameplay, but they also demonstrated superior control of the game in crucial moments. Meanwhile, IG had some explosive highlights but ultimately lacked the consistency needed to win the series.
Watch the match highlights at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_RALWo5il-A
Match Overview
- Tournament: LPL 2026 Split 1
- Stage: Play-In Round 2
- Format: Best of 5
- Result: NiP 3–1 IG
Detailed Match Breakdown
Game 1: IG Start Strong, but NiP Pull Off a Brilliant Comeback
From the opening minutes, IG were the more proactive side. They controlled both side lanes well and constantly applied pressure in NiP’s jungle. Thanks to accurate ganks, IG took an early lead in kills and gold.
However, the turning point came around minute 18 when both teams clashed near the Dragon pit. NiP punished IG’s poor positioning, winning the fight and taking down several key members. From that moment on, the momentum completely shifted.
After securing the first Baron, NiP pushed all lanes and dismantled IG’s defensive setup. Although IG tried to stall the game, NiP maintained control and ended Game 1 with a decisive mid-lane push.
Game 2: NiP Dominate from Start to Finish
In Game 2, NiP entered with confidence. They executed early lane swaps to create advantages for their carries and repeatedly invaded IG’s jungle.
From the laning phase, NiP were ahead in both CS and kills. Every small skirmish favored them thanks to their smooth coordination.
In the mid game, NiP fully controlled the map. They secured both Dragons and Baron with little resistance. IG had almost no chance to fight back due to vision denial.
With a massive lead, NiP pushed all three lanes and closed out the game quickly.
Game 3: IG Fight Back Strongly
Down 0–2, IG were forced to change their strategy. They drafted a composition focused on early skirmishes and invested heavily in their carries.
This approach worked. IG won multiple river fights and secured major objectives. In particular, a team fight at minute 22 allowed IG to ace NiP and take Baron.
From there, IG accelerated the pace, constantly pressuring towers and denying NiP any time to recover. Although NiP tried to hold on, IG maintained control and finished Game 3 with a decisive bottom-lane team fight.
Game 4: NiP Show Their Composure and Close the Series
The deciding game was extremely tense. Both teams played cautiously early on, with very few early kills.
Still, NiP had better vision control. They slowly built small advantages in CS and turrets. At minute 25, the Baron fight became the turning point.
NiP had superior positioning, engaged cleanly, and wiped out IG’s backline. After the ace, NiP secured Baron and marched straight into IG’s base.
IG no longer had the resources to defend. NiP ended Game 4 convincingly and sealed the series with a 3–1 victory.
General Ban/Pick Analysis
In this Bo5 series, the draft phase played a crucial role and was one of the main reasons NiP held the upper hand throughout. Overall, NiP showed better strategic preparation, while IG sometimes struggled to adapt.
NiP prioritized teamfight-oriented and objective-control compositions. They focused on champions that could engage well, spike in the mid game, and synergize in 5v5 fights. This reflected NiP’s plan to play safe, control Dragons and Baron, and snowball through coordinated teamfights.
In contrast, IG chose more flexible but less consistent drafts. They leaned toward skill-based, high-risk champions designed for small-scale skirmishes. However, their drafts lacked clear continuity between games and often fell off in the mid-to-late game.
Key Highlights of the Match
- First of all, NiP showed clear superiority in both composure and strategy. Although IG had one explosive game, NiP controlled the series overall.
- In 5v5 fights, NiP always kept a tight formation, allowing them to finish teamfights faster and cleaner than IG.
- Moreover, NiP dominated major objective fights. This helped them snowball games efficiently without taking unnecessary risks.
- Although IG had strong moments—especially in Game 3—they could not maintain that level of performance in the remaining games.
- Finally, NiP consistently drafted easier-to-execute, meta-appropriate compositions. Meanwhile, IG relied too much on individual skill, making it difficult for them to recover once NiP took control.
Conclusion
The match between NiP and IG on February 9, 2026, at LPL 2026 lived up to fan expectations. While IG had some brilliant moments, NiP were the team that showed greater stability and mental strength.
With this 3–1 victory, Ninjas in Pyjamas not only secured a crucial advantage but also sent a strong message to the rest of the tournament field.
Follow the results of other matches on Tenkly: https://tenkly.com/
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Quynh Bui 
