Wednesday 17 July 2019, 13:26

Memorable matches ahead of season’s curtain-closer

  • FIFA eWorld Cup to take place on 2-4 August. Tickets via fifa.com/fewc

  • Opportunity for reflection on current campaign

  • We look back at memorable matches from the FIFA 19 season

All roads lead to London for the conclusion of the competitive EA SPORTS FIFA 19 season. Thirty-two of the world’s leading players – 16 from PlayStation, 16 from Xbox – will gather for an action-packed three days at The O2 in London to decide who will be crowned the world’s leading player at the FIFA eWorld Cup™.

The campaign has produced many enticing encounters since the first FUT Champions Cup in November to the nail-biting drama of July’s FIFA 19 Global Series Playoffs, with huge inaugural tournaments such as the FIFA eNations Cup and eChampions League unfolding along the way.

As we approach the season finale in London, take a look back at just some of the memorable matches from this campaign – including a clash of titans, tense penalty shoot-out wins that sparked jubilation and a historic first final.

FaZe Clan v AFC Ajax: FIFA eClub World Cup

A dream duo of Xbox and PlayStation top seeds 'Tekkz' and 'Nicolas99fc' joined forces as KiNG eSports triumphed in a fantastic finale at the FIFA eClub World Cup 2019. As well as the titans teaming up to sweep all before them and surprise package Dijon FCO reaching the final, the crazy quarter-finals got everyone talking at the tournament.

With two wins in the 1v1 matches enough to send any side through, incredibly all four quarter-final ties went to nail-biting 2v2 encounters to decide the semi-finalists. Arguably the pick of the lot was a back-and-fourth encounter between FaZe and Ajax. The eSports organisation levelled up late on before the Dutch side spurned a last-gasp extra-time penalty. It was eventually settled in a shoot-out with FaZe pair 'Tass' and 'LevVinken' – both on their way to August's FIFA eWorld Cup – celebrating victory. Veteran player 'Tass' described it as his "craziest match" in seven years of competitive FIFA.

'MsDossary' vs 'Tekkz': FUT Champions Cup

An intriguing rivalry has been played out on the scene this year between two Xbox giants looking to assert their status as top dog: current No1 'Tekkz' and reigning eWorld Cup champion 'MsDossary'. FIFA 19 fans were treated to a classic in early April as the two clashed in the Xbox final of the FUT Champions Cup in London.

'Tekkz', who had bagged three FUT Champions Cup already in the campaign, was also buoyed by claiming the inaugural ePremier League title just a week before April’s showdown. But it was Saudi Arabia’s 'MsDossary' who emerged victorious in the Xbox decider before getting his hands on the trophy with a win against ‘Maestro’ in the Grand Final.

Portugal vs Spain: FIFA eNations Cup

April’s inaugural FIFA eNations Cup saw competitive FIFA players representing their country in an official capacity for the first time. With national pride and glory on the line, the stakes were naturally high.

An enticing Iberian derby in the quarter-finals was locked in a stalemate after the first two 1v1 matches. The 2v2 match, which ended up going to a penalty shoot-out, decided which team would advance to the semi-finals.

Portugal’s 'Tuga810_' and 'RastaArtur' held their nerve against Spain’s 'XeXu' and 'I5I Zidane', sparking jubilant celebrations. All four bar 'XeXu' will be present at this year’s FIFA eWorld Cup.

'DrNightWatch' vs 'NYC_Chris': eChampions League

As well as the inaugural FIFA eNations Cup, another major first this season was the introduction of the eChampions League. Sixty-four players gathered in Manchester back in April for the prestigious event, with elite players such as 'Tekkz', 'MsDossary', 'Nicolas99fc' and 'Maestro' in action. It was eventually whittled down to a final eight in late May in Madrid ahead of the UEFA Champions League Final.

'DrNightWatch' and 'NYC_Chris' overcame formidable opposition to book their place in the showpiece decider and it was the latter who emerged victorious, getting his hands on the first-ever eChampions League trophy after a dominant performance.

The American then had the honour of parading the eChampions League trophy pitchside at Madrid’s Wanda Metropolitano just hours before Liverpool would celebrate their continental triumph.