Tension at the limit: the third matchday of StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 turned into a true battle for survival. Teams that found themselves one step away from elimination were playing not just for the result — but for the right to remain on the main stage of the season.
Tournament context
StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 Stage 1 is the opening phase of the biggest CS2 event of the year, where 16 teams compete for only two available spots in Stage 2, along with valuable Valve Regional Standings (VRS) points that shape the global ranking and future Major qualification. The format is Swiss System: two wins secure advancement, three losses result in elimination.
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How the match unfolded — FaZe vs RED Canids
A tense survival battle where both teams had moments that could have secured them the win.
- Mirage (FaZe pick) — 7:13
RED Canids surprised with confident defense and denied FaZe the ability to bring their stars into the game. - Nuke (RED Canids pick) — 19:17
A map that could have ended the Major run for FaZe. The European mix saved two match points and pulled through in overtime, holding on by a thread. - Inferno (decider) — 13:5
A final surge from FaZe. Full control, tempo, and a complete dismantling of the Brazilian attack.
Player of the Match — David “frozen” Čerňanský
- K–D: 52–41
- ADR: 94.5
- Rating 3.0: 1.49
frozen became the foundation of the comeback — winning key duels on Nuke and destroying RED Canids on Inferno.
How the match unfolded — Imperial vs The Huns
The final attempt to survive for both teams. The one who loses — is eliminated from the Major. The one who wins — receives one last chance tomorrow in the 2:2 match.
- Nuke (The Huns pick) — 13:8
The Huns started actively, but Imperial quickly stabilized their defense and completely shut down site executions. - Mirage (Imperial pick) — 16:12
The closest moment of the match. The Huns were several times just one step away from turning the tide, but the experience of the Brazilian squad was enough to close the series in their favor.
Player of the Match — Marcelo “chelo” Cespedes
- K–D: 42–30
- ADR: 89.9
- Rating 3.0: 1.38
chelo became the key to success: consistent impact in every round and crucial entries on Mirage.
How the match unfolded — PARIVISION vs GamerLegion
Another do-or-die confrontation. Both teams struggled to remain in the Major — only one could stay alive.
- Overpass (GamerLegion pick) — 16:14
A dramatic finish. PARIVISION turned the map around thanks to late-round clutches and composure under pressure. - Ancient (PARIVISION pick) — 16:12
GamerLegion tried to force overtime, but PARIVISION held the line and closed out the series 2:0.
Player of the Match — Dzhami “Jame” Ali
- K–D: 39–26
- ADR: 70.4
- Rating 3.0: 1.15
VRS results
- FaZe: +15 pt (1537 → 1552) — rise to #17
- GamerLegion: –17 pt (1497 → 1480) — drop to #20 and are eliminated from the Major
- PARIVISION: +38 pt (1403 → 1441) — rise to #26
- Imperial: +13 pt (1296 → 1309) — rise to #38
- The Huns: –9 pt (1132 → 1123) — drop to #61 and elimination from the Major
- RED Canids: –3 pt (1110 → 1107) — remain #65 and are eliminated from the Major
What’s next for the teams
FaZe, PARIVISION and Imperial advance to 2:2, where they will play the match of their lives tomorrow — a win gives them a place in Stage 2, a loss sends them home. RED Canids, GamerLegion and The Huns become the third team eliminated from the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025, losing all remaining chances for further competition and VRS points.
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Skin.Club Pick’em Challenge
Running alongside the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 is the Skin.Club Pick’em Challenge — an interactive feature where fans predict match results, choose advancing teams, and earn points throughout the tournament. By making accurate picks, participants unlock rewards ranging from premium skins to rare gloves and knives, with the ultimate prize being the iconic AWP | Dragon Lore.
