In this analysis, I will take a look at the four moments I believe were instrumental in securing Na'Vi their victory and giving LGD their first taste of defeat. Before the first of these, LGD was in control, doing well to restrict the pushing power of the Lycanthrope while remaining notably ahead on the kill board. All of this seemed to disintegrate in a rapid fashion following the 23 minute mark, eventually cumulating with LGD's surrender by 45 minutes.
Incident One: The Mystery of The Chicken Knight
A fast initiation from Na'Vi throws all their heroes at a Hexed Dragon Knight. LGD is a little too far back, and cannot respond too quickly, while Naga Siren is still in the bottom lane. This is a perfect moment.
The crux of this teamfight was the snappy initiation on the Dragon Knight by Na'Vi, who followed this up by both locking Dragon Knight down through their Shadow Shaman, and by sustained damage from Juggernaut. This was further complemented by Dendi's Rubick stealing Ice Blast and turning it on LGD, severely weakening 3 of their heroes. In total, Na'Vi took three heroes and consequently two towers from LGD in this one teamfight.
With Naga Siren on the other side of the map, without a Teleport scroll, LGD was unable to use her ultimate to counter this initiation. Na'Vi did a phenomenal job of exploiting this and were well rewarded in kills and tower gold.
Incident Two: The Curious Case of the Turnaround
A big intiate on Shadow Shaman spares LGD from the Serpent Wards and Hex, but Dendi halts their momentum with a well-guaged Telekinesis.
Despite the first incident, LGD keep on fighting. At about the 26 minute mark, they start a smoke gank on four of their heroes and run into the Shadow Shaman by the Radiant ancients. This fight starts well for LGD, as a quick initiation through Primal Roar and Ice Blast quickly kills the Shadow Shaman. Dendi, however, stops their momentum with a well placed Telekinesis, and the fight starts properly. Juggernaut Omnislashes in from above, sowing confusion, whilst the Lycanthrope shapeshifts and storms in from below.
LGD do well at the start of the teamfight, netting three kills whilst only losing Leshrac. However, against Juggernaut, Enigma and what can only be Lycanthrope's favourity wolves, Na'Vi pulls out some excellent play, and grab kills on Dragon Knight and Beastmaster, with the Lycanthropy wolves getting the last-hits on both. Suddenly, a 3-1 victory to LGD has become 3-3, and Shadow Shaman teleporting in only serves to take out the Ancient Apparition, forcing it down to 4-3 in favour of Na'Vi. If Na'Vi had not fought as hard as they did, and had instead let LGD take it 3-1, it is very possible that they would have lost their middle tower very rapidly.
Incident Three: Communication Breakdown
LGD is going for Roshan, but Na'Vi is crusading in to put a damper on their plans.
29:30. LGD decides to try take Roshan and secure the Aegis for their team. Na'Vi, however, has a different idea and forces a teamfight, taking out Dragon Knight.
This, however, is not the crucial part. Having beaten a hasty retreat out of LGD, Na'Vi finishes Roshan off an grabs the... wait. Song of the Siren? Freezing Na'Vi, the Naga Siren slithers in and grabs the Aegis for herself, followed by her team. She then starts to teleport out.
With the Naga gone and the Song gone with her, the three other LGD heroes are hopelessly out of position. Na'Vi takes this opportunity and picks two of them off, forcing the last two heroes to scramble to defend their top barracks, which they lose. If Naga Siren had stolen the Aegis while the rest of her team retreated, rather than ran in with her, it is very unlikely that Na'Vi would have been able to secure the top rax.
Incident Four: It's Not Over Until the Fish Lady Sings
Na'Vi, totally focused on the second Roshan kill.
The final nail in LGD's first coffin is hammered in right after Na'Vi kills Roshan for a second time. Aware of the shenanigans that are going on, Naga Siren attempts another Song steal, and fails miserably. Without her ultimate, LGD has no semblance of protection, and Na'Vi storms their middle lane, securing the GG call and forcing a third game in the winner bracket finals.
Conclusion
It was indeed a momentous occasion for everyone: LGD's first taste of defeat and Na'Vi proving to the world that they still had the talent to defend their title. In the end, it was a combination of some incredibly good positioning on Na'Vi's side, most notable in the first and second incidents, as well as some uncharacteristically poor calls from LGD as shown in the last two incidents. Did LGD crack from the unexpected pressure, or did Na'Vi force their hand? That much, I think, we may never know.
