Complexity defeat Gareth Bale's Ellevens to win FIFA eClub World Cup

• Complexity Gaming lift eClub World Cup after defeating Ellevens Esports in final.
• Joksan and MaXe_VIP take home $40,000 and 2,000 Global Series Points.
• Gareth Bale's Ellevens Esports make an impact with Brazillian Resende spearheading their attack.

In a tense three-match final Complexity Gaming defeated Ellevens Esports to lift the FIFA eClub World Cup - becoming the first North American side to do so.

Neither side headed to Milan as the favourites but Complexity Gamings’s superior 2v2 gameplay and an Ellevens Esport side carried by Brazillian Pedro “PResende” Resende made for two worthy finalists.

The final itself was one of the games of the tournament. Joksan “Joksan” Redonda won the first game 3-0 against Ethan “EthxnH” Higgins. Then the 2v2 match beckoned with Ellevens needing a win to force a third, title-deciding game.

It was here where Resende stepped up and did what he had done throughout the knockouts - scoring two crucial goals to secure a 2-1 win. The third game was a tense affair, with Resende and his opponent - Max Emilov "MaXe_VIP" Popov both playing with one eye on not conceding. It was a strategy ultimately that lead to extra-time and penalties. 

It was here where Resende’s finishing finally let him down, he scored only one penalty out of five handing the title to Complexity Gaming. 

Joksan and MaXe_VIP take home $40,000 and 2,000 Global Series Points, all but guaranteeing themselves a spot at the end-of-season Global Series Playoffs.

Ellevens Esports will be disappointed to lose the final, but the new team, co-owned by Real Madrid star Gareth Bale will be pleased to see their two star players make such a quick impact. As runner ups, they will split $20,000 and each takes home 1,400 Global Series Points.

The FIFA eClub World Cup was a 3-day event held in Milan, 24 teams from around the world of esports and football competed for $100,000. Previous winners include Brøndby eSport and KiNG esports.

Should every tournament be like the FIFA eClub World Cup?

The tournament itself was a welcome change of pace for fans of competitive FIFA. With its traditional group stage, rather than the Swiss round format present in FUT Champions Cups, and a mix of 1v1 and 2v2 games gave an intrigue often missing from the esport.

Few will forget the way Group D unfolded on Day 2. Manchester City, were one of four teams still in with a chance of progressing into the knockouts, and until the last 10 minutes of the final group game, they looked to be doing just that. But Sporting CP esports - who were drafted in as a replacement - scored two late goals to keep City at bay and secure a place in the last 16. 

It’s these sort of permutations that are missing from Swiss Format and EA could do worse than revert back to traditional group stages in the FUT Champions Cups.

2v2 matches only feature in one other FIFA tournament the eNations Cup and the potential for the game mode is clear for all to see, with less AI involvement and the skill required to attack in unison make for the most exciting games in the FIFA esport calendar.

FIFA eClub World Cup - Day 2 recap

FIFA eClub World Cup - Day 1 recap