Dplus KIA (DK) pulled off an incredible comeback against 
G2 Esports in the opening round of the 2026 League of Legends World Championship Swiss Stage, turning what looked like a certain defeat into a stunning victory in the final moments of the match.
Both teams entered Worlds 2026 with impressive international achievements under their belts. G2, the LEC’s first seed, enjoyed a dominant domestic season, sweeping all three LEC titles while also proving themselves against some of the world’s strongest teams. Their biggest international highlight came at First Stand, where they swept tournament favourites Gen.G 3-0 in the semifinals to reach the grand final. They also eliminated 
T1 at the Mid-Season Invitational (MSI), further cementing their reputation as a dangerous international contender.
Meanwhile, Dplus KIA had experienced a remarkable resurgence after a difficult 2025 season that saw them miss out on Worlds. Led by veteran midlaner 
Heo “ShowMaker” Su, the LCK’s fourth seed made a strong return to international competition by winning the Esports World Cup 2026, defeating the likes of 
Bilibili Gaming and 
Gen.G before sweeping 
Karmine Corp in the grand final.
Their improved form carried over into the LCK, where they defeated KT Rolster 3-1 in the Season Playoffs to secure their return to Worlds after a year’s absence.
With both teams having already demonstrated their ability to challenge the world’s best, their Swiss Stage opener promised to be a competitive matchup. However, few could have anticipated just how dramatically the game would end.
How did Dplus KIA come back against G2 Esports at Worlds 2026?
G2 wasted little time taking control of the match, picking up three early kills during the laning phase and establishing a strong advantage in the bot lane. The European squad continued to build on their momentum, taking control of the map and securing objectives while keeping DK on the defensive.
As the game entered the mid game, G2 maintained their lead through patient objective control and calculated movements around the map. They also denied DK an opportunity to reach dragon soul point, further strengthening their position as the match progressed.
DK, meanwhile, struggled to find a way back into the game. With G2 firmly in control, the LCK representatives looked for opportunities to punish their opponents and prevent the gold difference from growing further. One such opportunity came when they managed to take down G2 bot laner 
Steven “Hans Sama” Liv, giving DK some much-needed breathing room.
However, G2 continued to dictate the pace of the game, eventually setting their sights on Baron Nashor. A messy teamfight erupted around the objective, with DK attempting to contest G2’s advances. Despite the resistance, G2 managed to secure the Baron, putting themselves in an even stronger position to close out the match.
With the Baron buff in their favour, G2 appeared to have everything they needed to secure their first Swiss Stage victory. However, their decision to turn towards the dragon pit would prove costly.
As G2 attempted to secure the dragon, DK found the opening they had been desperately searching for. The European squad were caught in a difficult position around the pit, allowing DK to capitalise on their opponents’ positioning and turn the fight in their favour.
At the centre of the turnaround was ShowMaker on his signature Syndra, whose impact during the decisive teamfight made all the difference. With G2 trapped around the dragon pit, DK unleashed a devastating counterattack, taking down most of the European squad and completely reversing the momentum of the game.
Suddenly, the team that had spent almost the entire match playing from behind found themselves with a clear path to victory.
Rather than returning to objectives or attempting to build a more comfortable lead, DK immediately seized the opportunity and marched straight towards G2’s base. With the European squad unable to mount a defence, DK pushed through and destroyed the Nexus, completing an unbelievable comeback after spending virtually the entire 32-minute game on the back foot.
Despite finishing with an even 8-8 kill scoreline, DK emerged victorious in a match that G2 had controlled for most of its duration. What looked like a certain win for the LEC champions was overturned by a single decisive teamfight, with ShowMaker once again demonstrating why he remains one of the most dangerous mid laners on the international stage.
The victory gives DK a 1-0 start to their Worlds 2026 Swiss Stage campaign, moving them one step closer to the Knockout Stage. After their remarkable resurgence throughout the season, the LCK representatives have now added another memorable victory to their growing list of achievements.
For G2, the defeat is a bitter result after spending much of the match in control. The LEC champions will now head into their next Swiss Stage matchup with a 0-1 record, needing to recover quickly if they hope to translate their domestic dominance into a deep Worlds run.
With three victories required to reach the Knockout Stage, both teams still have opportunities ahead. However, DK’s remarkable comeback serves as another reminder that at Worlds, even a seemingly comfortable lead can disappear in the blink of an eye.