The first major VCT trophy for 2026 has been claimed. In an impressive show of tactical prowess and pure accuracy, Nongshim RedForce (NS) dominated Paper Rex (PRX) in a clean sweep, winning 3-0, and earning themselves the title as the new VALORANT Masters Santiago Champions.
While many were expecting a back-and-forth slugfest between the Korean giants and the Pacific kings, it was Nongshim RedForce that showed they were just too organized, shutting down the aggressive playstyle of Paper Rex at every turn.
Nongshim RedForce win VALORANT Masters Santiago by a Dominant 3-0 Sweep
The Grand Final was a Best-of-5 series, but Nongshim RedForce finished the job in three maps. Although Paper Rex showed flashes of brilliance, NS won the deciding rounds that counted the most.
- Map 1 (Corrode): This was the most even contest of the evening. Paper Rex began well, but NS remained calm and won the map 13-11.
- Map 2 (Split): Nongshim RedForce completely dominated this map. Their defense was like a brick wall, and they won the map 13-4.
- Map 3 (Abyss): NS won the trophy by dominating the new map Abyss with a 13-3 scoreline.
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Xross Became The MVP of the Finals
If there was one player who defined this series, it was Xross. Playing a combination of Sova and Fade, he was literally everywhere. In the final map on Abyss, he put up an astonishing 2.15 Rating and 358 ACS. He concluded the series with a total of 60 kills, always managing to find “impact frags” that crushed the morale of Paper Rex.
On the other hand, Paper Rex was unable to get into their groove. Although d4v41 did his best to keep his team in the fight, the usual high-octane plays from something and Jinggg were nullified by the impeccable utility play of Nongshim.
VALORANT Masters Santiago Prize Pool and Final Standings
Nongshim RedForce doesn’t just walk away with a trophy; they are also taking home a massive share of the $1,000,000 prize pool.
| Placement | Team | Prize Money |
| 1st Place | Nongshim RedForce | $350,000 |
| 2nd Place | Paper Rex | $200,000 |
| 3rd Place | NRG | $125,000 |
| 4th Place | G2 Esports | $75,000 |
Nongshim RedForce have now asserted themselves as the team to beat going into the next phase of the VCT. For Paper Rex, it was a tough loss, but to come in second place among the best 12 teams in the world was still a fantastic achievement. However, Pacific teams have once again showcased their dominance on the Masters stage.
