Companies Mentioned
Why It Matters
G2’s comeback preserves its championship hopes, while paiN’s elimination underscores ongoing roster instability in the Latin American CS:GO scene.
Key Takeaways
- •HeavyGod posted 44‑25 KD, 1.87 rating.
- •G2 won Inferno 13‑10, Mirage 13‑9.
- •paiN's win‑rate drops to 27.3% this year.
- •G2 avoids elimination, stays in PGL bracket.
- •paiN's roster continues underperformance, only two wins.
Pulse Analysis
The PGL Cluj‑Napoca event has become a turning point for G2, a team that entered the group stage on the back foot after consecutive defeats to Vitality and PARIVISION. HeavyGod’s explosive performance on both maps not only swung the momentum but also highlighted the importance of clutch 1vX situations in modern CS:GO. His 44‑25 kill‑death ratio and 1.87 rating placed him among the tournament’s top performers, reinforcing G2’s depth and adaptability across map pools.
Beyond the individual heroics, G2’s 2‑0 sweep signals a strategic recalibration. The team’s execution on Inferno—maintaining map control and capitalizing on opponent errors—paired with a disciplined Mirage approach, where they secured early bomb sites and limited paiN’s retake opportunities. This balanced playbook demonstrates G2’s ability to adjust mid‑match, a trait that could prove decisive as the bracket tightens and they face higher‑seeded opponents.
For paiN, the loss is symptomatic of broader challenges facing the Latin American roster. With only two wins this year and a sub‑30% win‑rate, the squad’s recent roster changes have yet to translate into consistent results. The early exit may prompt further roster evaluation and strategic overhauls, as the organization seeks to regain competitiveness on the global stage. Observers will watch how paiN addresses these issues ahead of upcoming qualifiers, while G2 aims to leverage its revived form toward a deep tournament run.
HeavyGod stars as G2 eliminate paiN from Cluj
By Sumljiv – 16‑2‑2026 18:21
huNter‑'s squad has started their fightback from the 0‑2 pool.
G2 stayed alive at PGL Cluj‑Napoca thanks to a 2‑0 victory over paiN (Inferno 13‑10, Mirage 13‑9).
Nemanja “huNter‑” Kovač’s troops, who found themselves facing elimination after losses to Vitality and PARIVISION, were buoyed by a fantastic performance by Nikita “HeavyGod” Martynenko.
The Israeli anchor put up a 2.35 rating on Inferno before winning two 1vX situations on Mirage to finish the series on a 1.87.
For paiN, however, the early elimination is merely a continuation of their new roster's struggles. The Brazilian squad has won just two games in 2026 so far, against BetBoom and B8, and sports a 27.3 % win‑rate in the last three months.
Match details
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Event: PGL Cluj‑Napoca 2026 – Best of 3
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Date: 16 February 2026
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Result: G2 2 – 0 paiN
Map scores
| Map | G2 | paiN |
|----------|----|------|
| Inferno | 13 | 10 |
| Mirage | 13 | 9 |
Player statistics
G2
| Player | K‑D | Swing | ADR | KAST | Rating |
|--------|-----|-------|-----|------|--------|
| Nikita “HeavyGod” Martynenko | 44‑25 | +9.94 % | 102.3 | 77.8 % | 1.87 |
| Mario “malbsMd” Samayoa | 29‑26 | +2.93 % | 78.8 | 73.3 % | 1.18 |
| Matúš “MATYS” Šimko | 26‑24 | –2.20 % | 65.1 | 71.1 % | 0.99 |
| Nemanja “huNter‑” Kovač | 24‑28 | –0.42 % | 55.3 | 73.3 % | 0.92 |
| Álvaro “SunPayus” García | 29‑27 | –2.23 % | 64.4 | 71.1 % | 0.87 |
paiN
| Player | K‑D | Swing | ADR | KAST | Rating |
|--------|-----|-------|-----|------|--------|
| Vinicius “vsm” Moreira | 32‑30 | +0.85 % | 81.8 | 75.6 % | 1.08 |
| Lucas “nqz” Soares | 26‑28 | +1.65 % | 63.0 | 68.9 % | 0.99 |
| João “snow” Vinicius | 27‑29 | –1.31 % | 65.3 | 71.1 % | 0.92 |
| Guilherme “piriajr” Barbosa | 27‑33 | –4.67 % | 60.9 | 71.1 % | 0.81 |
| Rodrigo “biguzera” Bittencourt | 17‑32 | –4.55 % | 53.3 | 64.4 % | 0.64 |
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