At the Chengdu International Convention Center, two teams representing opposite schools of Counter-Strike will clash. FURIA — the current VRS world #1 — embody structure, discipline, and an impeccable sense of mid-round timing, while The MongolZ bring chaos, aggression, and fearless tempo, earning once again the label of “giant killers.” The format is Best of 3 (LAN).
Current Form and Context
FURIA arrive at the playoffs in excellent rhythm, having secured wins over Lynn Vision (2–0) and G2 (2–0), with their only setback coming against MOUZ (1–2). The Brazilian squad play mature, controlled Counter-Strike — clean pistol rounds, precise retakes, and seamless tempo shifts. KSCERATO continues his superb form (~1.24 rating over the last three months), FalleN maintains his role as the team’s brain and AWP anchor, while yuurih and molodoy add the necessary firepower on the flanks.
The MongolZ, on the other hand, reached the playoffs after a turbulent but impressive group stage. They defeated HEROIC (2–1), fell to Astralis (0–2), but bounced back with two crucial wins — over Spirit (2–1) and paiN (2–1). The Mongolian lineup thrives against structured opponents, dismantling setups through high-tempo executes and fearless mid control. mzinho stands out as their most consistent performer (~1.07 rating), bl1tz and Techno handle closing rounds through aggressive rotations, while kontrolez contributes solid utility work and spacing.
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Road to the Playoffs — IEM Chengdu 2025
FURIA (Group B, 2–1):
- 2–0 vs Lynn Vision — clean opener with complete economic control.
- 2–0 vs G2 — one of the group’s highlights; clinical mid-rounds and flawless trading.
- 1–2 vs MOUZ — a close loss in the group decider; minor clutch issues but solid overall structure.
The MongolZ (Group A, 3–1, Lower Bracket Run):
- 2–1 vs HEROIC — resilience and composure under pressure.
- 0–2 vs Astralis — exposed weaknesses in map control.
- 2–1 vs Spirit, 2–1 vs paiN — a “double comeback day” that proved their adaptability and mechanical sharpness.
Head-to-Head — Narrow Edge for The MongolZ
These two teams have faced each other frequently over the past two years, with The MongolZ holding a slight edge in overall series count. Their recent 2025 encounters were all close — FURIA usually took Mirage, while the Mongolians answered back on Dust2 or Ancient, often forcing overtime. The takeaway: The MongolZ are an uncomfortable opponent for FURIA — consistently finding gaps and forcing the Brazilians out of rhythm.
Map Pool and Veto Analysis (Last 3 Months)
- Dust2: FURIA 54% | The MongolZ 54%
- Mirage: FURIA 62% | The MongolZ 61%
- Inferno: FURIA 65% | The MongolZ 58%
- Nuke: FURIA 78% | The MongolZ 57%
- Overpas: FURIA 83% | The MongolZ 60%
- Ancient: — | The MongolZ 67%
- Train: FURIA 67% | —
Likely vetoes:
- FURIA will likely remove Ancient, avoiding The MongolZ’s explosive mid control and strong positional play.
- The MongolZ should ban Overpass, where FURIA boast an 83% win rate and flawless mid-round communication led by FalleN.
Possible picks:
- FURIA: Nuke or Overpass — maps that perfectly suit their structured, tempo-based system.
- The MongolZ: Mirage or Dust2 — playgrounds for fast entries and spontaneous executes.
Potential decider: Inferno — a balanced battleground where FURIA’s defensive discipline will be tested against The MongolZ’s chaotic mid-round transitions. Expect clutch plays from KSCERATO and mzinho to be decisive.
Key Duels
- KSCERATO vs mzinho — the backbone of Brazil vs the heart of Mongolia; whoever wins more 50/50 duels will dictate the series pace.
- FalleN vs 910 — the AWP duel between master and prodigy; if FalleN keeps economic control, FURIA can dominate the tempo.
- yuurih/molodoy vs bl1tz/Techno — entry pair clash; whoever finds early openings will set the tone for their team’s T-side momentum.
VRS Outlook — Battle for the Top
- FURIA: #1 (1959 pts) — win = +2 pts (maintain top spot); loss = –19 pts, potential drop to #3.
- The MongolZ: #5 (1883 pts) — win = +28 pts (secure Top 5, possible push to Top 4); loss = –27 pts (still remain in Top 5).
This quarterfinal isn’t just for playoff survival — it’s a fight for world ranking dominance.
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Prediction
The MongolZ will likely make this a chaotic, high-energy battle — they should take their map thanks to early-round explosiveness and clutch confidence. However, FURIA’s structure, deeper map pool, and composure in late rounds give them the upper hand. Expect a close three-map thriller with Brazil’s discipline prevailing in the end.
Predicted Score: FURIA 2–1 The MongolZ.
