The Top 10 Best Clutches in Counter-Strike History Ranked

Owen Harsono Published 30/07/2026

Pulling off an impossible clutch is one of the greatest hits of dopamine any Counter-Strike 2 player can ever feel. However, pulling them off at the highest level can be a little tricky since everyone is so coordinated. That’s exactly why mind-blowing clutches are remembered forever. Let’s take a trip down memory lane and look at the 10 best clutches in Counter-Strike history.

#10 chrisJ 1v5 against NAVI @ ICE Challenge 2020

Image credit: chrisj

We’re opening the list with former mousesports player chrisJ who was thrust into an impossible 1v5 situation against NAVI.

In the play, he was just looking to get the bomb down so his team can get some money in the following round, but a missed incendiary from Perfecto gave chrisJ a chance.

He proceeded to hit five laser headshots in a row to take down the NAVI players who were peeking one by one.

#9 refrezh 1v5 Ace against Team Liquid @ ESL Pro League Season 14

Image credit: refrezh

Up next is another 1v5 clutch performed by former HEROIC player refrezh against Team Liquid. Here, his team was down 14-15 on the deciding map of the ESL Pro League S14 quarterfinal, so it was do-or-die.

However, there was a combination of refrezh masterfully isolating fights, and Team Liquid playing way too safe. The Dane ended up pulling off the clutch to push the game into overtime, where HEROIC went on to win the series and eliminate Team Liquid from the event.

#8 ZywOo P250 1v4 Ace against NAVI @ IEM Beijing 2020

Image credit: ZywOo

The current greatest Counter-Strike player of all time, ZywOo, also makes it to this list with his clutch against NAVI on Mirage.

ZywOo and apEX were thrown into a very difficult 2v5 post-plant situation, with electroNic having the perfect flank. However, electroNic couldn’t finish off ZywOo, and he did a complete 180-degree turn to get the kill.

Despite having 9 HP remaining and apEX taken down quickly, ZywOo proceeded to land jaw-dropping headshots, killing four NAVI players in the matter of seconds.

#7 nin9 Deagle 1v4 against Spirit @ BLAST Open Spring 2025

Image credit: nin9

You’ve probably never heard of a player named nin9 in Tier 1 Counter-Strike, and we don’t blame you. However, this single clutch put his name on the world map.

nin9 was the former AWPer of The Huns – a relatively unknown Mongolian team. They qualified for a Tier 1 event and were immediately tasked to face Team Spirit – one of the best CS2 teams in the world.

The Huns were getting destroyed 1-12 on Dust 2, but nin9 pulled off one of the craziest Desert Eagle plays ever to extend play. Donk was even one of the players he deleted!

The map and series still ended very shortly after, but it’s safe to say: this is a highlight for the ages.

#6 Snax Pistol 1v4 against NAVI @ ESL One New York 2016

Image credit: Snax

There really seems to be a trend of NAVI falling victim to these clutches, as this time, it was Snax’s turn.

The Polish legend was forced into a 1v4 retake in the pistol round, with all NAVI members finding good post-plant positions. However, Snax played the situation well and backed it with some insane aim, hitting three instant headshots to delete the NAVI members.

He finished off the final kill with another headshot to put the map to a quick close. This clip also generated some of the most legendary caster lines in the game.

#5 donk 1v5 against HEROIC @ Perfect World Shanghai Major 2024

Image credit: Donk

Donk has pulled off two 1v5 clutches in his career so far, but we’re picking the one against HEROIC for this list.

Down 9-12 against HEROIC on Mirage, donk was forced into a 1v5 situation, and everyone thought the map was over. However, the Little Terminator just went on a rampage and hit shot after shot to pull off an unbelievable clutch.

Team Spirit and donk went on to win the entire Major, and this was the tournament where donk’s legacy started.

#4 magixx 1v4 spraydown against G2 @ IEM Cologne Major 2026

Image credit: magixx

This one is a very recent one, with magixx pulling off a graffiti-deserving play at the IEM Cologne Major in 2026.

Team Spirit took on G2 in the quarterfinal of the Major. The deciding map went into overtime, with G2 looking to lock in a convincing CT round. Magixx was left alone in a 1v4 post-plant situation, and he did the only logical thing to do – spray and pray.

Magixx chose a cheeky little corner in Market and just sprayed down four G2 players who tried to trade each other. Team Spirit went on to win the map after four overtimes and eliminate G2 in one of the best matches we’ve seen in CS2.

#3 m0NESY 1v4 against MIBR @ BLAST Premier Spring 2022

Image credit: m0NESY

The Baby GOAT m0NESY also has a legendary clutch up his sleeve, with his high-pressure 1v4 against MIBR.

All of his teammates were mowed down trying to enter the B Site, leaving m0NESY with only 16 seconds to plant the bomb and navigate an impossible 1v4. However, the young gun hit a no-scope to start off the clutch, and even dared to do a fake plant while he was sandwiched between two MIBR players.

He proceeds to pick off the player behind him with a fast flick, then hit another no-scope on a player buying time. These kills let him get the bomb down with barely enough time and turn what was a 1v4 into a favorable 1v1 in the matter of seconds.

After tucking in Dark, m0NESY awaits his prey and gets the finishing blow. And remember – he was only 17 at the time.

#2 s1mple Jumping Double No Scope 1v2 against Fnatic @ ESL One Cologne 2016

Image credit: s1mple

Of course, we can’t make a list without CS:GO’s GOAT s1mple, who has one of the most iconic clutches in the game’s history.

Back when he was on Team Liquid, s1mple was tasked with a 1v2 clutch against Fnatic on Cache. Instead of holding angles with his AWP, he decided to just jump down from Heaven and hit a no-scope while he was mid-air.

KRIMZ looked to instantly trade his fallen teammate, but s1mple flicked straight at him and hit another no-scope from far range. This play became legendary, and s1mple even earned a graffiti at that exact spot.

#1 cadiaN 1v4 against Gambit @ ESL Pro League Season 13

Image credit: cadiaN

The best clutch in Counter-Strike has to go to cadiaN at ESL Pro League Season 13, where he made the play of his career.

HEROIC took on Gambit in the grand final of ESL Pro League Season 13. It was a Best of 5 series, and they were playing on the final map. cadiaN and company were up 15-6, but were forced to take an eco round.

cadiaN only had a P250 pistol equipped with no armor. He managed to sneak into Gambit’s backlines and instead of taking a free kill on sh1ro, he decides to knife him for extra money. However, an AWP fell into his hands, and he pulled off the most legendary clutch in the game’s history to win the event.

Feature Image Credit: Michal Konkol for BLAST

Owen Harsono

About Owen Harsono

Owen lives for competition, spending most of his gaming hours on Dota 2, CS2, and Valorant. A regular on the SEA Dota 2 leaderboards, he combines his first-hand experience with a deep passion for esports journalism, following the professional scenes of all three esports betting titles religiously. When he’s not writing, he’s most probably betting on esports and watching the latest events.

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