VALORANT Champions 2025 continues to deliver a spectacle of tactical brilliance and raw mechanical skill, but the recent Upper Bracket Semifinals added an unexpected layer of drama: the triumph of resilience against unforeseen challenges. As the dust settled, one team defied expectations with a last-minute stand-in, while another emerged victorious from a regional derby marked by a historic individual performance. The path to the trophy in Paris is proving anything but predictable.
Fnatic`s Fairytale Run: A Stand-in Steps Up, a Champion Prevails
The esports world watched with bated breath as EMEA`s powerhouse, Fnatic, prepared to face Pacific`s formidable Paper Rex (PRX). The odds, already stacked in a high-stakes match, tilted further when Fnatic announced their star sentinel, Emir ‘Alfajer’ Beder, would be benched due to health complications. Enter Domagoj ‘Doma’ Fancev, thrust into the spotlight as a last-minute stand-in. What followed was a masterclass in adaptation and collective willpower.
The series kicked off on PRX`s map pick, Bind. Despite early signs of struggle and PRX claiming two pistol rounds, Fnatic showcased their defensive prowess. A dominant first-half performance, particularly from Kajetan ‘kaajak’ Haremski, saw them claw back from a 0-4 deficit to lead 7-5. However, PRX, with Khalish ‘d4v41’ Rusyaidee expertly punishing Fnatic`s passive attack defaults, managed to clinch a narrow 13-10 victory. It seemed the challenge might be too great for the EMEA squad.
But Fnatic had other plans. On Haven, after losing the opening pistol, they demonstrated exceptional economy management, winning a crucial second-round thrifty. Kaajak continued his spree on Yoru, helping Fnatic secure an 8-5 lead. The team, guided by the tactical genius of in-game leader (IGL) Jake ‘Boaster’ Howlett, intelligently exploited PRX`s lack of information utility. They forced PRX into unfavorable retakes against a robust post-plant Viper composition, ultimately cruising to a dominant 13-4 victory. The series was tied, and the momentum had visibly shifted.
The deciding map, Lotus, began as a nightmare for Fnatic. After securing their attack pistol, they endured a nine-round losing streak, with PRX`s Jason ‘f0rsakeN’ Susanto locking down sites with cheeky Omen plays and Odin spams. Trailing 3-9 at the half, most teams would crumble. But Fnatic, perhaps invigorated by the sheer audacity of their situation, mounted one of the most incredible comebacks in VALORANT Champions history. They won the second-half pistol and bonus, then systematically dismantled PRX`s site hits, winning twelve consecutive rounds to seal Lotus 13-9. It was a victory forged in adversity, a testament to their deep roster and unwavering spirit. Doma, the reluctant hero, blended seamlessly, proving that sometimes, an unexpected variable is precisely what`s needed to unlock a team`s true potential.
The Americas Derby: NRG`s Grit Edges Out MIBR`s Aspas
The drama continued with an electrifying VCT Americas derby between NRG and MIBR. This series was a battle of regional pride, tactical adjustments, and individual brilliance, culminating in a 2-1 victory for NRG.
MIBR`s map pick, Abyss, proved to be a nail-biter. Despite Abyss typically favoring attackers, both halves were incredibly close. NRG started strong, but MIBR`s star duelist, Erick ‘aspas’ Santos, came alive on his signature agent, Jett, evening the score at 6-6 by halftime. The second half descended into a series of intense aim duels, with MIBR`s explosive site entries clashing against NRG`s methodical retakes. MIBR even employed on-site smokes for aspas to dash into, a bold tactical flourish. Yet, NRG`s resilience, powered by heroics from IGL Ethan ‘Ethan’ Arnold and rookie duelist Adam ‘mada’ Pampuch, pushed the map into overtime, where they eventually triumphed 16-14.
On Haven, MIBR delivered a masterclass in the Viper/Omen composition, mirroring a strategy popularized by Gen.G. NRG`s IGL Ethan struggled against MIBR`s adaptable defense, finding his usual fast-set strategies nullified. MIBR`s Killjoy setups were particularly effective, holding key angles with minimal presence, allowing them to control the map with ease. MIBR dominated, securing a 10-2 first half and both pistol rounds to quickly close out Haven 13-4, leveling the series.
The final showdown on Corrode was another testament to the sheer fight in both teams. Initially, MIBR capitalized on the map`s nuances, winning five attack rounds with versatile pacing. However, a crucial thrifty round won by NRG after MIBR`s fifth pistol win of the series shifted the momentum dramatically. NRG found their rhythm with convincing site executes, while MIBR`s rookies, under immense pressure, began to falter. Though MIBR`s IGL Andrew ‘Verno’ Maust showcased clutch plays, including an impactful Sova ultimate and a last-minute plant denial to force overtime, and aspas even secured an ACE in overtime, it wasn`t enough. NRG held firm, winning Corrode 16-14 in another marathon map.
Despite MIBR`s loss, Erick ‘aspas’ Santos cemented his legacy by becoming the highest-fragging player on the server across all maps, with an astounding 80 kills, 42 deaths, and 6 assists. This record-breaking performance at a VCT global event highlights the incredible individual skill present at Champions, even if team cohesion ultimately decides the victor.
The Road Ahead: Upper Bracket Glory vs. Lower Bracket Redemption
With these intense victories, Fnatic and NRG have earned their spots in the Upper Bracket Final, a high-stakes clash scheduled for October 3rd at Paris` Accor Arena. Their journey continues on the direct path to the Grand Finals, with a significant advantage.
Meanwhile, Paper Rex and MIBR, though defeated, are far from out. They now face the daunting task of navigating the lower bracket, where every match is an elimination game. Paper Rex will face EMEA`s Team Heretics, while MIBR will battle Pacific`s DRX. The pressure is immense, but the opportunity for redemption is real. Fans can anticipate more nail-biting action as these teams fight for survival, proving that at VALORANT Champions 2025, every round counts and every team has a story yet to be fully told.
