Astralis Defeats FUT at ESL Pro League Season 23 in Counter-Strike 2
Astralis opened the second group stage of ESL Pro League Season 23 with a straight-set win over FUT Esports, taking Ancient 13:6 and Mirage 13:3. The scoreline left little doubt: two one-sided maps and a quick series.
Ancient saw Astralis start on the CT-side with firm map control. They denied mid and A executes early, won several crucial duels, and built a lead that carried into the break. FUT attempted fast mid and B pushes to scramble momentum, but Astralis' trades held up and the Danes closed out the map without much drama: 13:6.
Mirage was even quicker. Astralis set the tempo from the pistol rnd and rarely let up, often winning center fights and cleaning up exits with tidy trades. FUT couldn’t lock down key positions or win opening duels consistently, and rounds slipped away; the final felt almost inevitable at 13:3.
For Rasmus “HooXi” Nielsen’s squad, this was their first win in stage two — a 1:0 start that helps the standings but doesn’t erase the need for more steady form. Analysts have pointed out increased stability compared to earlier in the season, though consistency against higher-tier opponents remains a question.
Elsewhere in the group, the fight for eight LAN slots is already shaping up. Some pre-tournament favorites also took opening wins, while others find themselves on the back foot after first-round losses. The next matches will sort teams into the 2:0 and 0:2 brackets — results that will matter a lot for playoff chances and for who faces elimination.
ESL Pro League Season 23 runs from March 1 to March 15. The online stage features 24 teams competing for a $125,000 prize pool and eight tickets to the LAN finals. The decisive stage takes place in Sweden from March 13–15, where the remaining teams will play for the title.