1. ‘The Play’ – Dota 2: In 2012, during The International, a Dota 2 tournament, a breathtaking moment occurred that would forever be etched in esports history. The team known as Natus Vincere (Na’Vi) faced off against EHOME in a pivotal match. Na’Vi’s legendary captain, Dendi, executed an unbelievable move that secured them the victory. With only a sliver of health remaining, Dendi’s Puck character juked, dodged, and managed to turn the tables against EHOME, ultimately leading to a game-changing team wipe and an incredible comeback.
2. Faker’s Zed Outplay – League of Legends: Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok is widely considered one of the greatest League of Legends players of all time. In the finals of the 2013 World Championship, Faker showcased exceptional skill when he selected the champion Zed. In a jaw-dropping sequence, Faker outplayed his opponent, Ryu, playing Zed versus Zed. His precise timing and reflexes stunned the crowd as he dodged rapid shurikens, eliminated Ryu’s Zed, and secured a kill, solidifying his status as an esports superstar.
3. Evolution 2004 Daigo Parry – Street Fighter: During the 2004 Evolution Championship series grand finals, Japanese fighting game legend Daigo Umehara faced off against American player Justin Wong in Street Fighter III: Third Strike. With one pixel of health remaining, Daigo executed a flawless parry sequence, flawlessly blocking 15 consecutive hits from Wong’s super combo. The crowd erupted in astonishment, establishing Daigo as a legend and making this moment one of the most iconic in fighting game history.
4. The Million Dollar Dream Coil – Dota 2: The 2013 edition of The International brought another memorable moment that showcased the brilliance of Na’Vi’s Dendi once again. Facing off against Alliance in the grand finals, Dendi’s Puck character unleashed an exceptional play called ‘The Million Dollar Dream Coil.’ Cornered and with his teammates out of position, Dendi utilized Puck’s ultimate ability to stun four enemy players, turning the tides of the game and ultimately winning the tournament for Na’Vi.
5. Astralis’ Back-to-Back Major Wins – Counter-Strike: Global Offensive: The dominance of the Danish team Astralis in CS:GO deserves a spot in esports history. In 2018, Astralis won both the ELEAGUE Major in Boston and the FACEIT Major in London, becoming the first team to win consecutive Counter-Strike global championships. Their disciplined and strategic playstyle, combined with incredible teamwork, marked a new era in CS:GO’s competitive scene.
These are just a few of the countless memorable moments in esports history that have captivated fans and solidified the industry’s place in the mainstream. As the esports ecosystem continues to grow, it is exciting to anticipate what future events will create the next iconic moments that will etch themselves into the annals of esports history.
