The Professor's Last Dance! FalleN says goodbye to IEM after FURIA's elimination
Julia ·
A 2–1 defeat against BETBOOM in the quarterfinals marked the Professor's final appearance in an Intel Extreme Masters event. At 35, the Brazilian legend is approaching the end of his historic Counter-Strike career.
The end of an era is getting closer! FURIA was eliminated from IEM Beijing 2026 this Friday (November 6), falling 2–1 to BETBOOM in an intense quarterfinal series. But the result carried an extra meaning: this was Gabriel "FalleN" Toledo's final appearance in an Intel Extreme Masters (IEM) tournament before bringing his professional career to a close.
The series came down to the smallest details. BETBOOM took the lead with a 13–5 win on Ancient, but FURIA fought back on Dust2, tying the series with a 13–10 victory. One of the standout moments came when FalleN pulled off an ace during the pistol round, helping keep the Brazilian side in contention.
Everything came down to Nuke. Despite falling behind 7–12, FURIA mounted an impressive comeback, won five consecutive rounds, and pushed the map into overtime. BETBOOM ultimately closed it out 16–14, securing its spot in the semifinals.
But the farewell in Beijing meant more than just an elimination. Following the loss, FalleN shared an emotional message about his connection with China, the country where he played his first international Counter-Strike tournament. He looked back on the moments that shaped his journey and thanked the fans for their support throughout the years.
Choosing Beijing as the setting for his final IEM also carries special meaning for the Professor. After more than two decades competing professionally, returning to the place where his international journey began represents the closing of a chapter.
And it's not over just yet! FalleN announced his retirement in April, planning to end his professional career by the end of 2026. Before then, he still has important commitments with FURIA, including BLAST Rivals 2026 and the PGL Major Singapore, which will be one of the final opportunities to watch the Brazilian compete on the world stage.
More than a defeat, IEM Beijing marks the farewell of a legend from one of Counter-Strike's most important tournament circuits.
