The first day of PGL Masters Bucharest 2025 continued with confident wins from Aurora over fnatic and Liquid over Legacy. The tournament has only just begun, but the results are already shaping the potential balance of power in the group stage.
Tournament context
PGL Masters Bucharest 2025 is a prestigious LAN tournament taking place in Bucharest, Romania, from October 26 to November 1, 2025. Sixteen teams are competing for a $1,250,000 prize pool.
The event is part of the Valve Regional Standings (VRS) system — the points earned affect the distribution of slots for the next Major. The format is the Swiss system, where teams with two victories advance to the next stage, while two losses lead to elimination.
read more
How the match unfolded — Liquid vs Legacy
Liquid defeated Legacy with a score of 2:1 (13:11 Mirage, 7:13 Inferno, 13:9 Nuke). The American organization showed confidence and roster depth, especially on the deciding map.
- Mirage (Liquid pick) — 13:11. A tense map where both teams went neck and neck. Liquid managed to pull ahead in the final rounds thanks to the stability of NAF and nertZ.
- Inferno (Legacy pick) — 7:13. Legacy found their rhythm and dominated through the coordination of saadzin and dumau.
- Nuke (decider) — 13:9. Liquid maintained composure, preventing their opponent from dictating the pace. Smart rotations and clutch plays from ultimate and EliGE sealed the victory.
Player of the Match — Guy “nertZ” Iluz
- K–D: 52–39
- ADR: 84.7
- Rating 3.0: 1.30
- KAST: 75.8%
The Israeli player became the driving force of the team, showing consistency and top efficiency in decisive rounds.
VRS rating after the match — Liquid vs Legacy
- Liquid: +30 points (1668 → 1698 VRS), remains at #11
- Legacy: –13 points (1658 → 1645 VRS), drops to #13
The victory allowed Liquid to solidify its status as a stable upper-echelon team, while Legacy lost part of its ranking but remains within the top 15.
How the match unfolded — Aurora vs fnatic
Aurora defeated fnatic 2:0 (16:14 Mirage, 13:9 Dust2). The Turkish team demonstrated a high level of individual skill, particularly from woxic and XANTARES.
- Mirage (fnatic pick) — 16:14. Despite fnatic’s early advantage, Aurora turned the game around thanks to brilliant entry plays from jottAAA and consistent shooting from woxic.
- Dust2 (Aurora pick) — 13:9. Map control and an aggressive playstyle allowed Aurora to quickly secure victory. Fnatic failed to adapt to constant pressure on mid and long.
Player of the Match — Özgür “woxic” Eker
- K–D: 41–28
- ADR: 76.8
- Rating 3.0: 1.30
- KAST: 70.6%
The experienced sniper became the key element of Aurora’s victory, thanks to his consistency and effective picks in clutch situations.
VRS rating after the match — Aurora vs fnatic
- Aurora: +26 points (1729 → 1755 VRS), rises to #9
- fnatic: –3 points (1441 → 1438 VRS), drops to #22
Aurora climbed into the top 10 of the world ranking, confirming its status as the strongest Turkish team. Fnatic, meanwhile, continues a series of uncertain starts at major events.
What’s next for the teams
Liquid advances to the 1:0 stage, where on October 27 they will face Aurora — a match that will determine one of the group favorites.
Legacy drops to 0:1 and will play against Gentle Mates tomorrow — a crucial opportunity for the Brazilians to keep their hopes alive.
fnatic also finds itself at 0:1 and will face FlyQuest on October 27. After a painful defeat, the Europeans must find stability to avoid an early exit.
Match summary
Liquid and Aurora began their PGL Masters Bucharest 2025 journey with victories, showcasing a high level of both individual and team play.
Aurora maintains its status as a top-8 contender, while Liquid looks like one of the most composed teams of the tournament.
Fnatic and Legacy are now under pressure — a loss tomorrow could seriously complicate their path in the Swiss stage.
The October 27 match between Liquid and Aurora will be the central showdown of the second round.
