In the first game of the 2026 League of Legends Mid-Season Invitational (MSI) finals held at the Daejeon Convention Center (DCC) Exhibition Hall 2 in Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, on the 12nd, Hanwha Life Esports took an early lead against BLG. It was a game defined by the brilliant mechanical play of 'Zeus' Choi Woo-je and 'Kanavi' Seo Jin-hyeok.

In the first set, Hanwha Life Esports got off to a strong start as 'Kanavi' Seo Jin-hyeok’s Lee Sin ganked the top lane repeatedly, handing two deaths to 'Bin's Renekton. BLG managed to recoup some losses by diving 'Zeus' Choi Woo-je’s Ambessa with four players. Meanwhile, Lee Sin easily secured two Dragon stacks and returned to the top lane to take down 'Knight's Viktor. They also countered an attempt on 'Gumayusi' Lee Min-hyeong’s Caitlyn, picking up a kill on 'Xun's Naafiri in the process.

BLG seemed to catch a breather after catching the 3-kill Lee Sin near the Void Grubs, but Lee Sin’s aggression did not stop. He actively invaded the enemy jungle to cut down Naafiri and secured the third Dragon, while Renekton fell again in the top lane following an intervention from 'Zeka' Kim Geon-woo’s Orianna. BLG responded by sending multiple players top to take down Orianna and pushed forward. Hanwha Life Esports tried to hold their ground while Caitlyn pushed the mid lane alone, but they were caught overextended and conceded two additional deaths.

Riding the momentum, BLG successfully snuck a Baron while Hanwha Life Esports retreated. However, Hanwha Life Esports had the insurance of the Dragon Soul. Although BLG managed a steal after 'On's Bard used his ultimate to freeze the main force, Ambessa brilliantly hooked 'Viper' Park Do-hyeon’s Ezreal at that exact moment, turning it into a kill. In the subsequent teamfight at Baron, Ambessa landed a precise ultimate on Ezreal, removing him from the fight and leading Hanwha Life Esports to a decisive victory.

BLG bought more time with a Dragon steal by Naafiri. Hanwha Life Esports showed good judgment by feinting a Baron play to clear the mid lane and take down an inhibitor. However, the situation remained tense as the next Dragon went to BLG. To make matters worse, despite having secured Baron, Ambessa was caught out during a standoff, leading to a crushing teamfight loss.

It was 'Kanavi' who brought the game back into Hanwha Life Esports' favor when it seemed they might lose control. He kicked Ezreal toward his teammates, setting up a massive teamfight win. Hanwha Life Esports claimed the Infernal Soul as their prize. Afterward, they pressured BLG by placing Ambessa in a side lane and secured Baron. Although Ambessa was caught, the remaining four players pushed in, calmly eliminated the opponents one by one, and ended the long game alongside the respawned Ambessa.