NS RedForce Seals Absolute Triumph in Santiago: Paper Rex Falls in Shocking 3:0 Sweep

SANTIAGO, CHILE – The first international trophy of 2026 has been lifted, and it didn’t go to a legacy titan. In a grand final that silenced the skeptics and shook the Pacific region to its core, Nongshim (NS) RedForce completed a historic “Ascension-to-Champions” arc, dismantling the legendary Paper Rex (PRX) with a clinical 3:0 sweep to win VALORANT Masters Santiago 2026.

The South Korean underdogs didn’t just win; they dominated. According to Esports Charts , while the tournament saw some turbulence in overall viewership, the crowning of NS RedForce marked a poetic shift in the global hierarchy—proving that the new era of Valorant belongs to the fearless.

1. The Underdog’s Masterclass: How NS RedForce Crushed the “W-Gaming” Meta

Few expected the South Korean squad to hold their ground against the creative chaos of Paper Rex. Having ascended to the VCT just four months prior, NS RedForce entered Santiago as a “team to watch,” but they left as undisputed kings.

• Map 1 (Corrode): The series started on the latest map, Corrode. PRX initially took an 8–4 lead, but NS RedForce’s defensive coordination was unbreakable in the second half, securing a narrow 13–11 victory.

• Map 2 (Split): Momentum shifted entirely. NS RedForce tore through the PRX defense, with Park “Ivy” Sung-hyeon recording a historic international ace to close the map 13–4.

• Map 3 (Abyss): A total slaughter. NS RedForce cruised to a 13–3 finish, completing the sweep and securing the USD 350,000 top prize.

The tournament’s MVP, Lee “Dambi” Hyuk-kyu, took the crowd by storm with his Neon plays, effectively neutralizing PRX’s aggression and cementing his status as a new global superstar.

2. Paper Rex: A Heartbreaking Runner-Up Finish

For Paper Rex, the road to the final was a grueling lower-bracket gauntlet. After a second-round upset against NRG, the Southeast Asian powerhouse had to eliminate All Gamers and G2 Esports to earn their rematch.

While they failed to defend their status as the reigning Masters Toronto champions, the “PRX effect” remains the strongest draw in the sport. Their matches against NRG and FURIA were among the most-watched of the entire event, proving that even in defeat, Paper Rex is the team the world loves to watch.

3. Viewership Insights: A “Perfect Storm” of Competition

According to Esports Charts, VALORANT Masters Santiago 2026 saw a decline of 15–20% in key metrics compared to the Toronto Masters. Several factors contributed to this “mid-tier” performance:

• Simultaneous Events: The grand final faced direct competition from the ESL Pro League Season 23 Counter-Strike finals.

• Early Upsets: The shocking early exit of T1 (Masters Bangkok champions) and heavy hitters from North America dampened some regional enthusiasm.

• Time Zone Hurdles: The Chilean schedule proved challenging for Asian and European audiences.

However, the Grand Final still managed to draw a peak of over 883,000 concurrent viewers, becoming the most-watched match in NS RedForce’s history.

4. The Creator Boost: Squeezie and the French Surge

One area that defied the downward trend was the French and Portuguese broadcasts. The “Gentle Mates” effect lingered long after the team’s exit, fueled by co-streamers like Squeezie, TcK10, and Sacy. These community giants successfully converted their massive personal audiences into dedicated tournament viewers, keeping the engagement alive for the Western demographic.

5. Agent 30 Revealed: Enter “Miks”

As the confetti fell for NS RedForce, Riot Games dropped a bombshell for the players at home. Miks, a new Controller hailing from Croatia, was officially unveiled.

• Abilities: His kit is a rhythmic fusion of sound manipulation, featuring a “M-pulse” grenade that can either heal allies or concuss enemies, and an ultimate called “Bassquake” that deafens and slows entire teams.

• Release Date: Fans can “set the tempo” with Miks starting March 18, 2026, coinciding with the launch of Season 2026 // Act 2.

Conclusion: The Road to London

With Santiago in the rearview mirror, the VCT circuit moves toward Stage 1 regional play starting April 1. The world now looks toward VALORANT Masters London in June, where NS RedForce will no longer be the underdogs, but the “final bosses” everyone is looking to de-throne.

Source Data:

• Esports Charts

• VCT Pacific Official Match Reports

• Riot Games Agent Reveal Logs