Michael van Gerwen has been eliminated from Premier League Darts after suffering a 6-2 defeat to Nathan Aspinall in Sheffield.
The seven-time champion has failed to make the finals night for only the second time in 13 years.
The Dutch star arrived at Night 16 knowing that nothing less than a nightly win would secure his place at next week's O2 Arena showpiece, but fell at the first hurdle against his English rival.
Aspinall produced a fine performance to secure his place in the top four for the third time in his career.
Michael van Gerwen has crashed out of the Premier League before the play-offs
PA
The Stockport slinger delivered three ton-plus finishes as he cruised to victory over his struggling opponent.
The win was Aspinall's fourth straight triumph over Van Gerwen, who has been far from his brilliant best this season.
The Sheffield crowd were in full voice as they witnessed "The Green Machine" trudge off stage in disappointment and dejection after his elimination was confirmed.
Van Gerwen's elimination marks another low point in what has been a disastrous 2025 campaign for the Dutchman.
The three-time World Champion failed to win a single night throughout the entire 16-week regular league season.
His struggles have been well documented in recent months, with the former dominant force sitting well below the likes of Luke Littler and Luke Humphries in the current darting hierarchy.
This latest setback serves as another stark reminder that Van Gerwen is no longer the top dog in the sport.
Aspinall's victory means he completes the line-up for next week's play-offs at the O2 Arena in London, joining teenage sensation Luke Littler, Luke Humphries and Gerwyn Price.
Littler, who is guaranteed to finish top of the standings, created more history earlier in the evening by setting a new record points tally of 42 in this format of the competition.
Michael van Gerwen has had a rough few months in darts
PA
The 18-year-old reigning champion demolished Stephen Bunting 6-1 with a staggering 114.32 average and perfect six from six on doubles.
Van Gerwen must now dust himself off and look for improvements as he heads into this weekend's European Tour event, where he meets either Mike De Decker or Mickey Mansell in Saturday's second round of the Elten Safety Shoes Dutch Darts Championship.
Prior to his elimination, the Dutchman had remained defiant, saying: "Of course, I'm a winner. I'm not a loser.
"When you're not performing to capability, then of course, you need to be hurt, otherwise, that's not a good sign. I know what I'm capable of."
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