The Esports World Cup playoffs in Riyadh delivered incredible emotions to fans. Two round-of-16 series ended with stunning results: Falcons left G2 no chance (2:0), while MOUZ overcame Virtus.pro in a dramatic three-map battle (2:1). Both matches became an example of how, on the big stage, it’s not only individual skill that decides the outcome but also psychological resilience and team synergy.
Falcons 2:0 G2 — the Collapse of a European Giant
- Ancient (13:9)
The series began on Ancient — G2’s pick, but the choice didn’t pay off. The start looked promising, with G2 keeping close to Falcons in the first half (5:7). However, after the side switch, NiKo and m0NESY began to dominate. Falcons shut down key areas effectively, while G2 looked lost in clutch situations. The result: 13:9 for Falcons.
- Train (13:7)
The second map confirmed G2’s struggles. Although the first half ended evenly (6:6), after switching to the T side, G2 failed to secure any meaningful clutches. Falcons capitalized on their firepower and composure in key rounds, closing out a confident 13:7 win. The series ended 2:0.
Player statistics for the match
Best Player of the Match: NiKo
Nikola “NiKo” Kovač once again proved his status as one of the strongest players in the world. Against G2, he was not only the statistical leader but also the engine of his team, setting the pace and instilling confidence in his teammates.
- 40-31 K-D
- ADR: 95.8
- Rating: 1.47
- +9 kill differential, +5.28% Swing
On Ancient, NiKo shone particularly in the second half, where his aggressive pushes and split-second decisions broke G2’s defense. On Train, he played a more supportive but equally vital role, denying G2 any comfort zone. His confident aim combined with discipline made Falcons the undisputed favorite of the series.
It’s no surprise he received 90.9% of the fan votes, as his impact on the game was so obvious that even opponents acknowledged his dominance. Once again, this match proved: when NiKo is in such form, Falcons can beat anyone.
Defeated Team’s Performance: G2
For G2, this elimination is nothing short of a fiasco. A team that had every chance to solidify itself among the trophy contenders looked helpless in crucial moments.
- HeavyGod (30-32, rating 1.10) tried to take initiative but couldn’t carry alone.
- malbsMd and MATYS delivered average performances but lacked real impact.
- The biggest disappointment was SunPayus: his 24-29 K-D and 0.69 rating underlined his failure to fulfill his sniper role.
G2 collapsed on their own pick Ancient and appeared disorganized on Train. They never convincingly won a half, exposing the broader issues in their game. A 0:2 loss in the round of 16 signals that major changes may be necessary.
MOUZ 2:1 Virtus.pro — Comeback and Willpower
- Inferno (6:13)
The series began with Virtus.pro’s pick, and they made the most of it. The first half (7:5) was close, but after the side switch, VP’s offense left no chance for MOUZ, dominating convincingly to a 13:6 finish.
- Mirage (13:4)
MOUZ responded immediately. On their own pick, they completely tore apart Virtus.pro’s defense. The first half ended 9:3, and from there, MOUZ quickly closed out a crushing 13:4 victory.
- Overpass (13:10)
The decider became the true climax. The first half ended in a stalemate (6:6), but the match was decided in the clutch rounds afterward. MOUZ showed greater composure: Spinx and Jimpphat stepped up in key moments, allowing the team to edge out a 13:10 win on Overpass — and 2:1 in the series.
Player statistics for the match
Best Player of the Match: ICY
Even though MOUZ emerged victorious in the series, the best individual performance came from Kaisar “ICY” Faiznurov of Virtus.pro. His consistency across all three maps was remarkable, and he stood out as the most impactful player on the server.
- 40-32 K-D
- ADR: 72.1
- Rating 3.0: 1.22
- KAST: 78%
- +2.36% Swing
ICY’s calmness in clutches and ability to win crucial duels kept Virtus.pro alive throughout the series. On Inferno, he was one of the main reasons VP managed to dominate, while on Overpass he continued to deliver impact rounds even as his team faltered.
What made his performance special wasn’t just the numbers — it was the way he consistently gave Virtus.pro chances in otherwise lost situations. Despite the defeat, ICY rightfully earned the Player of the Match award with 46% of the votes, proving that sometimes the brightest star can shine even in a losing effort.
Defeated Team’s Performance: Virtus.pro
Virtus.pro didn’t look hopeless — in fact, after a strong start, they seemed destined for the quarterfinals. But after Mirage, they lost momentum, and that was enough to cost them the match.
- ICY (40-32, rating 1.22) once again showed he’s the team’s brightest hope. His clutch ability and consistent aim kept VP competitive until the end.
- fame also played at a high level (44-41, rating 1.19), showing aggression and leadership.
- However, Perfecto’s poor form (27-38, rating 0.84) and FL1T’s inconsistency weighed the team down.
Virtus.pro started the series strong but collapsed psychologically after Mirage. On Overpass, they still had chances to force a win, but every decisive round went MOUZ’s way. This match once again highlighted the lack of stability and depth in VP’s roster to truly compete at the highest level.
- Falcons, with NiKo and m0NESY in top form, eliminated another tournament favorite in G2.
- MOUZ, showing resilience and determination, overcame Virtus.pro and marched confidently into the quarterfinals.
The Esports World Cup 2025 continues to deliver surprises: with every match, the list of favorites shortens, and the underdogs get a real chance to write their names into history.
