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Just days before the start of The International 2026, LGD Gaming lost their mid player. Santiago “TaiLung” Agüero has been removed from the squad due to issues related to the integrity of the competition, while the PGL has imposed a permanent ban on him from all tournaments in their organization.
The place of the young Peruvian in LGD was taken by two-time TI champion Topias "Topson" Taavitsainen, whose unexpected return to the biggest Dota 2 scene became one of the main stories of this year's tournament.
LGD launches internal investigation
On August 9, LGD Gaming announced that it had received information about a possible breach of competition integrity related to TaiLung.
According to the organization's announcement, the club immediately launched an internal investigation, and forwarded the available information and the results of the check to the organizers of The International 2026. LGD then continued to cooperate with PGL during the further investigation.
After the verification was completed, a decision was made that TaiLung cannot perform at The International 2026. At the same time, PGL imposed a permanent ban on him from participating in all future tournaments organized by this company.
LGD announced that it respects the decision of the organizers and stressed that fair play and the integrity of the competition are the basic principles of professional esports.
Has TaiLung been accused of match-fixing?
Claims soon emerged in the Dota 2 community that the case was related to match-fixing or betting on certain events within matches, often referred to in the community as “322”.
However, neither LGD nor PGL have so far publicly announced what specific offense TaiLung allegedly committed. It is not known at which matches or tournaments the disputed event allegedly took place, nor was the evidence presented on the basis of which the decision was made.
For this reason, allegations of match-fixing cannot currently be presented as an officially confirmed fact. What has been confirmed is that the decision refers to a serious violation of the integrity of the competition and that PGL, after conducting an investigation, imposed the strictest possible punishment within the framework of its tournaments.
So far, Valve has not issued a separate statement about this case.
TaiLung pleads not guilty
The 17-year-old player spoke after the announcement of the decision, but did not provide details of the case.
TaiLung said that his silence does not constitute an admission or acceptance of the accusations and speculations that are spreading in the public. He added that he would discuss the situation with his lawyer and that he would take all subsequent steps through appropriate legal channels.
Photo: LGD Gaming
It is currently unknown whether there is a formal possibility of appealing the PGL's decision.
This case ended one of the fastest risers in the South American Dota 2 scene. TaiLung was considered one of the greatest talents in the region, and before joining LGD he performed for OG.LATAM and HEROIC. With LGD, he qualified for The International through the South American qualifiers and was supposed to play his first TI in Shanghai.
PGL allows urgent roster change
The decision was made just four days before the start of The International, which is why LGD received special approval to make an emergency roster change.
The organization found a replacement very quickly. The mid position was taken over by Topias "Topson" Taavitsainen, one of the most famous and successful players in the history of Dota 2.
LGD has announced that Topson has officially joined their Dota 2 team, while the organizers and some media are currently presenting him as a replacement player for TI 2026. It has not been confirmed whether the deal is limited to this tournament or is the beginning of a longer engagement.
The return of the two-time TI champion
Topson won The International with team OG in 2018 and 2019, becoming one of the few players with two consecutive TI titles.
Topson during The International 2024. Photo: Valve
His last major professional appearance before joining LGD was at The International 2024, where he took third place with Tundra Esports. After that, he retired from regular professional competition, although he continued to play at a high level and occasionally participate in qualifiers.
His return comes without the standard period of preparation. LGD was given only a few days to fit the new mid player into the team's system, adjust the drafts and establish communication within the highly international squad.
LGD will be playing at The International 2026 with the following lineup:
- Yuma "Yuma" Langlet - carry
- Topias “Topson” Taavitsainen – mid
- Adrián “Wisper” Céspedes – offlane
- Thiago "Thiolicor" Cordeiro - support
- Matheus "KJ" Diniz - hard support
- Igor "kaffs" Estevão - coach
A big blow, but also an unexpected opportunity for LGD
Losing a player right before the most important tournament of the season represents a huge tactical and psychological blow. LGD went through the complete qualifications with TaiLung and prepared strategies in which the young mid player played an important role.
On the other hand, the arrival of Topson brings an experience that is difficult to find in an emergency replacement. His unconventional choice of heroes, aggressive style and experience of playing the most important matches can open up completely new tactical possibilities for LGD.
However, individual quality cannot completely compensate for the lack of joint training. The biggest challenge will be communication, distribution of resources and adapting Topson's style to the rest of the team in a very short time.
TaiLung's case remains open to the public as concrete evidence and details of the investigation have not been released. Until that happens, it can be confirmed that he has been punished for issues related to the integrity of the competition, but not categorically claimed that match-fixing has been publicly proven.
One thing, however, is certain. In just a few days, LGD lost one of South America's biggest young talents and gained a two-time world champion, turning a serious crisis into one of the most unexpected stories of The International 2026.
Sources
- LGD Gaming – official announcement about TaiLung
- GosuGamers – decision to ban from TI 2026 and future PGL tournaments
- GosuGamers – Topson joins LGD Gaming
- Liquipedia – TaiLung profile and team history
- Liquipedia - Topson profile and competitive career
Note: LGD Gaming and PGL have not publicly released concrete evidence or details of the violation. Allegations of possible match-fixing represent unconfirmed allegations and speculation within the Dota 2 community.
