The main event of The International 2019 is underway at the Mercedes Benz Arena in Shanghai, China from August 20th-25th 2019.

The 4th day of the main event saw us part ways with Royal Never Give up, Infamous and Evil Geniuses.

Today’s schedule involved 2 lower bracket games and the upper bracket final.

Team Secret vs Vici Gaming

The first series of the day saw Team Secret take on Vici Gaming, who were pushed to the lower bracket after their loss against PSG.LGD. Seemed like Team Secret, did a lot of homework on Vici Gaming’s playstyle and absolutely crushed them. Two quick games against the Chinese favourites Vici Gaming. With a soul-crushing performance, Team Secret 2-0 Vici Gaming and knock them out of the tournament.

The players are in the pods, the heroes are drafted, and Game 1 of Vici Gaming vs Team Secret in the Lower Bracket is underway. Welcome to Day 5 of the The International Main Event! #dota2 #TI9 pic.twitter.com/RSisfK5k0N — The International (@dota2ti) August 24, 2019

Game 1

《#TI9 》

On the back foot after a loss in Game 1. Hoping to comeback and even the odds in Game 2! With the draft set, let’s hop into it:



? https://t.co/RkREn1fkIA #VGFighting #VGWIN pic.twitter.com/Q6r9wqJEA4 — LGD Gaming #1 Fan Account (@VICI) August 24, 2019

Team Secret copied the concept of IO carry from Team OG and put it to use against the Chinese giants Vici Gaming. Early Aghanim Sceptre and level 15 talent deals insane amount of damage to the heroes. Vici gaming had a draft which would be stronger in the late game, but Team Secret’s constant pressure never allowed Vici Gaming’s draft to reach that point. Team Secret ended the game within 24 minutes. Team Secret take the lead in this series 1-0 over Vici Gaming. Here are some clips from Game 1.

Game one in the bag! We are now just one game away from securing Top 4 at The International 2019.



?: https://t.co/5w3hyrsWX3 #SecretFighting #TI9 pic.twitter.com/SsTns69js1 — Team Secret (@teamsecret) August 24, 2019

Vici Gaming drop a challenging Game 1 vs a dominant Team Secret. Vici's tournament survival now depends on a critical Game 2. #Dota2 #TI9 pic.twitter.com/QL7fhp9ob6 — The International (@dota2ti) August 24, 2019

Game 2

With an early game draft and a safelaneBristleback, Team Secret managed to clean sweep Vici Gaming out of the tournament. Puppy read the game very well. Vici Gaming again had a lacklustre draft. Even though they had an alchemist, who farms really fast, Team Secret never allowed him to farm, Vici Gaming draft was unable to make space for the Alchemist to come online. Vici Gaming were unable to defend their throne from Team Secret’s constant barrages. Another quick game from Team Secret lasting 22 minutes. Here are some clips from Game 2.

It was close but in the end they both go down! #TI9 pic.twitter.com/2HhucdfFcc — joinDOTA (@joinDOTA) August 24, 2019

TOP 4 SECURED – GG WP @VICI!



We advance to the Lower Bracket Semifinals where we will face @TeamLiquid later today!#SecretFighting #TI9 pic.twitter.com/Jgg8txdiSa — Team Secret (@teamsecret) August 24, 2019

Our light at The International 2019 #TI9 has been dimmed down!

We would’ve liked to go further, but alas it wasn’t meant to be. Congrats @teamsecret and GL further!



It’s up to you now @LGDgaming ! Do us proud! pic.twitter.com/F3smqLT2HB — LGD Gaming #1 Fan Account (@VICI) August 24, 2019

With this loss, Vici Gaming have been eliminated from Ti9 in the 5th-6th place.

Vici Gaming have been eliminated from The International 2019. Team Secret secure a Top 4 Finish. #TI9 pic.twitter.com/7D2sVNv0WE — Wykrhm Reddy (@wykrhm) August 24, 2019

The unyielding assault of Team Secret proved too great for Vici Gaming. The Lower Bracket series ends 2-0 and leaves Vici Gaming with no path forward but a swift elimination from the tournament. #dota2 #TI9 pic.twitter.com/QtF4kobfA8 — The International (@dota2ti) August 24, 2019

Team Secret proceed to the next round of the lower bracket to face Team Liquid for a spot in the top 3, having already secured a top 4 finish.

A blistering pace see Team Secret emerge victorious in their Lower Bracket series vs Vici Gaming. Secret finish the series 2-0, and end Vici's possibility to remain in the hunt for the Aegis of Champions. #dota2 #TI9 pic.twitter.com/hcOrPiJnWV — The International (@dota2ti) August 24, 2019

OG vs PSG.LGD

The second game of the day involved OG and PSG.LGD, The International 8 grand finalists.There was an air of revenge around the match up , with PSG.LGD players mentioning in many interviews that they have been waiting a year for this match.

Game 1

OG had a very experimental draft, when compared to LGD’s draft which looked complete and solid. But knowing OG and their playstyle, they can make anything work, and they almost did.

The game was pretty even, but then a few mistakes and untimely deaths on Ana’s faceless void allowed PSG.LGD to grasp victory in game 1 of the series.

Game one vs. @OGesports is in the bag! Let’s keep up the momentum and secure that Grand Final spot.

?https://t.co/5ZZE3UXPEO #LGDWin #TI9 w pic.twitter.com/bqg4XHaML3 — LGD @ #TI9 Shanghai (@LGDgaming) August 24, 2019

PSG.LGD take on the tournament juggernaut OG and secure a Game 1. OG will now have to adapt to face their toughest opponent yet, or risk dropping to the Lower Bracket. #dota2 #TI9 pic.twitter.com/CMBiWh2YpI — The International (@dota2ti) August 24, 2019

Game 2

1 UP! 1 To Go with Game 2 vs. @OGesports heating up!

We got the picks we wanted, now let’s make it count?!

?https://t.co/5ZZE3UXPEO #LGDWin #TI9 pic.twitter.com/JNqRWp3tAS — LGD @ #TI9 Shanghai (@LGDgaming) August 24, 2019

Beaten in game 1, OG took no chances with the draft in game 2. OG grabbed the alchemist and had the other 4 heroes to support him. The Chen provided sustain, while dark seer and tiny ensured that the OG draft would maintain a high tempo. Ana got a 10-minute radiance on the alchemist which meant that it was time to go. After that, OG never let the pedal off the gas and ran over PSG.LGD in just under 24 minutes. Safe to say that LGD were massively out drafted and had no way to deal with a farmed alchemist.

The English panel are prepared for a Game 3…? #TI9 pic.twitter.com/sBPQOjjrhD — joinDOTA (@joinDOTA) August 24, 2019

OG return to form and find a dominant victory over PSG.LGD in Game 2 of this Upper Bracket series. With the series tied, one game now determines who goes to the Grand Final, and who drops to the Lower Bracket. #dota #TI9 pic.twitter.com/qgVV3sDGSn — The International (@dota2ti) August 24, 2019

Ceb mocking the crowd after win in game 2:

Game 3

Grand Finals on the line and in a typical fashion the series go the full distance! Time to shine!

?https://t.co/5ZZE3UXPEO #LGDWin #TI9 pic.twitter.com/6l8HDZE5yo — LGD @ #TI9 Shanghai (@LGDgaming) August 24, 2019

This time around PSG.LGD grab the tiny first, but OG still goes for the alchemist pick for ana and Chen pick for N0_tail, just like game 2. But this time PSG.LGD were prepared for the alchemist. Somnus on his tiny and chalice on his sand king constantly invaded the radiant side of the map to disrupt ana’s farm and kill him a few times in the early game. Despite this, Ana gets his radiance in the 14th minute, 4 minutes slower than game 2. As soon as the radiance is online, ana’s farm rate skyrockets. Although ame on his slark countered alchemist up to some extent, OG kept outplaying LGD. After multiple attempts at taking the high ground and multiple won fights, OG finally beat PSG.LGD to take the series 2-1 and proceed to the grand finale of TI9.

AME is going crazy in this third game! Double Kill! #TI9 pic.twitter.com/Uf3WS9ECzm — joinDOTA (@joinDOTA) August 24, 2019

With this win, OG advance to the grand final of TI9 and await their opponent, whom they will paly tomorrow in a Best of 5 series.

OG are the First Grand Finalists of The International 2019. Congratulations! This is a back to back TI Grand Final for the squad. #TI9 pic.twitter.com/sKcQ0pMhlM — Wykrhm Reddy (@wykrhm) August 24, 2019

OG's reign of the Upper Bracket remains unchecked as they dismantle the heroic efforts put forth by PSG.LGD and end the series 2-1. OG now awaits the final challenger to come forth and meet them in the Grand Final. #dota #TI9 pic.twitter.com/ywrxNiBsxU — The International (@dota2ti) August 24, 2019

This is the 2nd time in 2 years that OG have made the grand finals without going to the lower bracket.

With this loss, PSG.LGD are pushed to the lower bracket, and will play the winner of Secret vs Liquid tomorrow.

Team Liquid vs Team Secret

Last game of the day saw Team Liquid take on Team Secret. Both teams know each very well and hail from the EU region. Both teams were considered to be even, but Liquid had a surprise in store for us.

Game 1

Team Liquid last picked meepo for w33, which is one of his signature heroes. Nisha, on the other hand, was playing IO, a draft which only OG has been able to pull off successfully multiple times.

Team Liquid ran over team secret to take a 1-0 lead in the best of 3 series. Puppey got heavily out drafted this game.

Liquid take Game 1 against Secret in dominating fashion! #TI9 pic.twitter.com/dljlOjIg6G — joinDOTA (@joinDOTA) August 24, 2019

Team Liquid came ready to fight and ready to Meepo. They take Game 1 of the Lower Bracket series vs Team Secret. Secret, with their back against the wall of an elimination series, must pull out all the stops to avoid going home. #dota #TI9 pic.twitter.com/8lO50Kn8LY — The International (@dota2ti) August 24, 2019

Game 2

Game 2 was no different, puppey got heavily out drafted again , this time around it was the alchemist pick which proved to be the downfall of team secret. Their draft was not well equipped to deal with it. They tried hard but it was not enough. Team Liquid won the series 2-0 in a dominating fashion to advance to the top 3 and book a place in the lower bracket final against LGD tomorrow.

It's the end of the road for @teamsecret. Despite an incredible year and coming top in the DPC rankings, they are knocked out of #TI9 2-0 by @TeamLiquid for 4th Place.



Truly a fantastic team to watch ❤️ pic.twitter.com/zsEqSWruV2 — ESL Dota2 (@ESLDota2) August 24, 2019

One step closer to the Aegis and one step closer to completing the Lower Bracket run… again.



See you tomorrow LGD #LetsGoLiquid pic.twitter.com/AWL3sVKkHd — Team Liquid (@TeamLiquid) August 24, 2019

This win marks team liquid’s 9th consecutive victory in a row in the lower bracket.

Liquid's inexorable march through the Lower Bracket continues on as they eliminate Secret from the tournament with a 2-0 series. Liquid, now so close to the Grand Final, will first have to test their mettle against PSG.LGD. #dota #TI9 pic.twitter.com/tJHXjHQOwY — The International (@dota2ti) August 24, 2019

Team Liquid are Top 3 at The International 2019. Team Secret have been eliminated. #TI9 pic.twitter.com/99GYfoerlv — Wykrhm Reddy (@wykrhm) August 24, 2019

Team Secret are eliminated from TI9 in the 4th position.

Unfortunately, our run at #TI9 comes to an end. GGWP to @TeamLiquid.



We fought to the end, but it wasn't the result we wanted. Special thanks to all of our fans and sponsors who supported us throughout this season. ?#SecretFighting pic.twitter.com/lQPqrPeU0E — Team Secret (@teamsecret) August 24, 2019

Secret's run through the Lower Bracket is snuffed out with their 2-0 loss to Team Liquid. They now must bow out of the race as their elimination from the tournament gives way to only three teams left vying for the ultimate prize. #dota #TI9 pic.twitter.com/96gKZsai4H — The International (@dota2ti) August 24, 2019

With puppey eliminated, the number of 2-time hopefuls reduces to 9.

Top 3 team of Ti9

This marks the end of today’s games.

A new hero was also teased by Valve today, VOID SPIRIT.

ANOTHER NEW HERO! ? #TI9



Void Spirit is the latest Spirit Brother, alongside Earth, Ember and Storm! pic.twitter.com/9TcAJLBBK9 — ESL Dota2 (@ESLDota2) August 24, 2019

Full reveal Video:

Tomorrow’s schedule includes 1 best of 3 between Team Liquid and PSG.LGD, followed b the Grand Final of TI9.

The action resume at 7:30 am IST tomorrow.