Karmine Corp took down Los Ratones in Week 1 of the LEC 2026 Versus stage, handing the streamer-backed roster their third straight loss of the split.
The match showcased LR’s best performance yet despite the result. After an awful early game, they stabilized and made things competitive through the mid-game before coordination issues cost them late.
Los Ratones came out with an unconventional draft featuring Thebausffs on Vi top, Nemesis on Orianna mid, and Rekkles on Bard support. Karmine Corp answered with a scaling composition built around Canna’s Gnar, Kyeahoo’s Azir, and Caliste’s Aphelios backed by Lulu support.
LR’s early game went badly. Canna punished Baus in the top lane matchup while KC built advantages across the map. But LR found their footing through mid-lane playmaking and picks, with Rekkles creating setups with Bard ultimate and Nemesis getting ahead.
The game’s first major swing came when Crownie got caught and lost a 1v1 to Caliste’s Aphelios. Baus tried to save him with a Vi ultimate but died in the process. KC converted the numbers advantage into Baron and never looked back.
LR’s hopes died in a late teamfight where their coordination completely broke down. Bard landed his ultimate on Azir and followed with a stun, creating what looked like a fight-winning window. Baus snapped onto Aphelios with Vi’s engage.
But Nemesis never pressed R.
The Orianna Shockwave that would have forced Guardian Angel or secured a kill simply didn’t come. KC’s defensive tools—Lulu peel, Azir Zhonya’s, and Aphelios GA—were never truly tested. They cleaned up the fight and closed out the game.
The Vi problem
Thebausffs drew criticism for his bruiser Vi build and several solo deaths. The pick itself became a talking point as viewers questioned whether it could work against elite top laners like Canna.
Crownie also took heat for positioning mistakes and itemization choices. His Guardian Angel as a fourth item left him with only two crit items and no Last Whisper against KC’s tankier champions.
