The Esports World Cup 2025 in Riyadh turned out to be one of the most contrasting and dramatic tournaments in Counter-Strike history. In front of tens of thousands of fans, we witnessed the downfall of old giants, the birth of new heroes, and a moment that can truly be called historic — The MongolZ lifting the trophy. A team once considered underdogs completed their fairytale run all the way to the title. The tournament concluded with a real change of eras, where a new generation dared to challenge the established favorites — and came out on top.
Tournament Disappointments
Natus Vincere — from champions to outsiders
For NAVI, this event was a painful reminder of how quickly things can change in CS2. Just a year ago, they celebrated victory in this very arena, but now they were knocked out in their opening playoff match by France’s 3DMAX (1:2). Their collapse came in the simplest of situations: wasted 5v3 advantages, underestimated opponent eco rounds, and a general loss of control. After the match, captain Aleksib admitted openly: “We just lost control and stopped playing our own game.” For a team that not long ago symbolized stability, this was the biggest failure in recent years.
Spirit — collapse of expectations
Spirit were recently hailed as contenders for the #1 spot of the year, but in Riyadh the team fell flat. Their loss to Heroic (1:2) in the first playoff round exposed a key weakness: lack of psychological resilience. Despite boasting young stars and a talented roster, Spirit failed to impose their style and exited among the underachievers, leaving fans puzzled and disappointed.
FaZe Clan — experience without results
FaZe, with their star-studded lineup, once again failed to deliver in crucial moments. Their loss to Aurora (1:2) was yet another warning sign that the team lacks a clear game plan and consistency. Too often, FaZe relied on individual brilliance, but this time it simply wasn’t enough.
MOUZ — stability turning into a trap
MOUZ’s story is a special one. They overcame Virtus.pro (2:1), but then fell to Falcons (1:2) in a hard-fought battle. On paper, their result looks respectable, but it highlights a recurring problem: MOUZ always stop one step short of winning trophies. “Stability without victories” has become their calling card, and even the players themselves admitted after elimination that this was a wake-up call for the team’s future.
Surprises That Defined the Tournament
The MongolZ — new world champions
The biggest sensation of all was The MongolZ. Their road to the title read like a fairytale:
- In their opening match, they comfortably defeated GamerLegion (2:0);
- In the quarterfinals, they beat 3DMAX (2:1);
- In the semifinals, they toppled Vitality (2:1);
- And in the grand final, they demolished Aurora 3:0.
Their gameplay became the symbol of a new style: aggressive yet disciplined. Techno earned the tournament MVP award with a 1.39 rating, becoming the first Mongolian player to receive such recognition on the global stage. For Mongolian Counter-Strike, this is not just a victory — it is a historic breakthrough that will forever reshape the global esports landscape.
Aurora — a Turkish dream turned reality
Aurora proved that their rise was no fluke. They took down Astralis (2:1), FaZe (2:1), Heroic (2:0), and Falcons (2:0) to reach the grand final. Although they couldn’t stop The MongolZ there, second place and $230,000 in prize money confirmed their new status as a top-five team in the world.
Falcons — returning to the big stage
Led by NiKo and m0NESY, with kyousuke in the lineup, Falcons showed they are once again ready to challenge the best. Victories over G2 (2:0) and MOUZ (2:1) brought them to the semifinals, where they lost to Aurora. However, in the third-place decider, Falcons defeated Vitality (2:1), claiming bronze and $130,000. This result confirms that, despite doubts, Falcons are firmly on their way back to the global elite.
Conclusion
The Esports World Cup 2025 made it clear: in CS2, there are no eternal champions. Natus Vincere, Spirit, and FaZe suffered painful defeats, while MOUZ once again confirmed their “curse of consistency.” In their place, new forces have risen — The MongolZ, Aurora, and Falcons — teams that just a few years ago weren’t seen as trophy contenders.
Riyadh delivered a historic final and a new symbol of the CS2 world — The MongolZ. Their triumph can confidently be called the beginning of a new era in Counter-Strike, where young, hungry teams are ready to shatter stereotypes and write their own history.
