The VALORANT Champions 2025 tournament in Paris continues to deliver breathtaking esports action, with recent Upper Bracket Semifinals setting the stage for an electrifying conclusion. Fans witnessed incredible resilience, tactical brilliance, and a historic individual performance as teams battled for supremacy on the global stage.
Fnatic`s Unlikely Triumph: Derailed Paper Rex with a Stand-in
In what many anticipated to be a straightforward affair, EMEA`s formidable Fnatic found themselves staring down an unforeseen challenge: competing against VCT Pacific Stage 2 champions, Paper Rex (PRX), without their star sentinel, Emir `Alfajer` Beder, due to health complications. Enter Domagoj `Doma` Fancev, the last-minute stand-in, thrust into the spotlight of arguably the biggest VALORANT event of the year. What followed was a masterclass in adaptability and sheer willpower, as Fnatic defied expectations and sent PRX to the lower bracket with a definitive 2-1 victory.
The series began on PRX`s map pick, Bind, where Paper Rex showed glimpses of their signature aggressive style. Despite their struggles, securing only two pistol rounds, PRX managed to edge out Fnatic 13-10. Fnatic initially fell behind 0-4, but a heroic defensive effort, particularly from Kajetan `kaajak` Haremski, brought them back to a 7-5 lead by halftime. However, Fnatic`s slow attack defaults in the second half were repeatedly punished by PRX`s Khalish `d4v41` Rusyaidee, whose well-timed flanks and off-angles secured the first map for the Pacific squad.
On Haven, the narrative shifted dramatically. After a clever pistol round win by PRX, Fnatic quickly established an economic advantage, with kaajak once again dominating on Yoru. By halftime, Fnatic held an 8-5 lead. Their defense was impenetrable, systematically dismantling PRX`s aggressive plays. In-game leader (IGL) Jake `Boaster` Howlett`s tactical genius shone through, expertly exploiting PRX`s lack of information-gathering utility and forcing them into disadvantageous retakes. Fnatic secured Haven with a convincing 13-4 win, leveling the series.
The deciding map, Lotus, unfolded with an almost cinematic quality. Fnatic started strong with an attack pistol win, but then faced immense pressure, losing nine consecutive rounds. PRX`s Jason `f0rsakeN` Susanto was a formidable presence, locking down sites with precise Omen plays and Odin spams. Trailing 3-9 at halftime, the crowd braced for a PRX victory. Yet, what transpired was nothing short of miraculous: Fnatic orchestrated a breathtaking 12-round win streak, shutting down PRX`s attempts with phenomenal retakes and an uncanny ability to anticipate their movements. The «Paper Rex train,» as some might call their momentum, was spectacularly derailed, concluding the map 13-9 in Fnatic`s favor and securing their spot in the next stage.
NRG vs. MIBR: A Record Broken, a Battle Won
The intensity didn`t wane in the second Upper Bracket Semifinal, which featured an all-VCT Americas derby between NRG and MIBR. This series was a testament to individual brilliance and team resilience, culminating in NRG`s hard-fought 2-1 victory, overshadowed by a historic performance from MIBR`s star duelist, Erick `aspas` Santos.
Abyss, MIBR`s map pick, was a nail-biter. Despite being known as an attack-sided map, both halves were incredibly close. NRG had an early lead, but aspas, on his signature agent Jett, brought MIBR back, ending the first half 6-6. The second half saw a relentless exchange of rounds, with both teams trading blows in individual aim duels and explosive site hits against methodical retakes. MIBR`s strategic on-site smokes for aspas were a highlight, but NRG`s In-Game Leader Ethan `Ethan` Arnold and rookie duelist Adam `mada` Pampuch made crucial hero plays, pushing the map into overtime and securing a 16-14 win for NRG.
On Haven, MIBR delivered a masterclass in the Viper/Omen composition, mirroring a strategy popularized by fellow Pacific team Gen.G. NRG`s IGL Ethan found his mid-round calls heavily tested, struggling against MIBR`s superior map control and Killjoy setups. MIBR capitalized on this, ending the first half with a dominant 10-2 lead and swiftly closing out the map 13-4, thanks to two quick pistol rounds. The series was now tied, setting up a thrilling decider.
The final showdown on Corrode was another epic. Both teams, employing solo-Waylay compositions, showcased strong attack sides. MIBR initially gained a foothold with five attack rounds on the typically defense-sided map, displaying versatile pacing and micro-adjustments that maximized aspas`s Waylay utility. However, the momentum dramatically shifted in the second half when MIBR, despite winning their fifth pistol round of the series, was thriftied by NRG. This pivotal round ignited NRG`s resolve, allowing them to execute convincing site plays. MIBR`s rookies, under immense pressure, seemed to falter.
As MIBR`s back was against the wall, IGL Andrew `Verno` Maust stepped up with an impactful Sova ultimate and denied a last-minute plant, pushing the game to overtime. Aspas even secured an ACE in overtime, a truly phenomenal feat. Yet, even these individual heroics were not enough to break NRG`s relentless resilience. NRG ultimately claimed Corrode 16-14, securing their spot in the Upper Bracket Final.
Despite the loss, Erick `aspas` Santos left an indelible mark on VALORANT history. With an astonishing 80 kills, 42 deaths, and 6 assists (80/42/6) across the series, aspas broke the record for the most kills by a single player at a VCT global event. A bittersweet achievement, perhaps, but one that cemented his status as a legendary duelist, even in defeat.
The Road Ahead: Upper Bracket Final and Lower Bracket Redemption
With these intense battles concluded, Fnatic and NRG have earned their place in the coveted Upper Bracket Final of VALORANT Champions 2025. This highly anticipated clash will unfold on October 3rd at the iconic Accor Arena in Paris, promising another spectacle of strategic depth and raw skill, with a direct path to the Grand Finals at stake.
For Paper Rex and MIBR, the journey isn`t over, but the path is now significantly harder. They now face the daunting challenge of the Lower Bracket, where every match is an elimination game. Tomorrow`s schedule sees Paper Rex squaring off against EMEA`s Team Heretics, followed by MIBR battling Pacific`s DRX. These matches are not just about winning; they are about proving resilience, finding redemption, and keeping the dream of lifting the Champions trophy alive.
Fans worldwide can catch all the high-octane action and witness the unfolding drama via official VCT broadcast channels, as the VALORANT Champions 2025 continues its thrilling march towards crowning a new global champion.
Elton Marrow