Stage 3 of the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 divided the field into three critical groups: four teams climbed to a perfect 2–0 record and will now fight for a direct 3–0 qualification, eight teams landed in the tense 1–1 mid-bracket, and four more dropped into the dangerous 0–2 zone, where the next match will determine who leaves the Major. It was a day where the favorites proved their class, while mid-tier hopefuls collided with the harsh reality of the Swiss format.
1) G2 13–7 paiN (Dust2)
G2 delivered one of their cleanest Dust2 performances of the tournament. They controlled the match from the early rounds, executed disciplined defense, and denied paiN any rhythm. SunPayus dictated the pace with flawless AWP work and sharp mid-round impact. PaiN attempted long and mid-pressure, but G2 consistently adapted and closed out the map with composure.
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Best Player of the Match — Álvaro “SunPayus” García
- Rating 3.0: 1.56
- K–D: 20–7
- ADR: 94.2
- KAST: 80%
Impact: Total control of mid and decisive AWP duels that broke paiN’s attacking structure.
2) Spirit 13–5 FaZe (Dust2)
This match was a reminder: when Spirit find their form, they are nearly unstoppable. Donk produced another monster performance — relentless aggression, consistent multikills, and an AWP ACE that shattered FaZe’s confidence. FaZe looked disconnected, lost most duels, and their attacks collapsed against Spirit’s perfect coordination.
Best Player of the Match — Danil “donk” Kryshkovets
- Rating 3.0: 1.86
- K–D: 18–7
- ADR: 109
- KAST: 83%
Impact: Dominance in duels and a pivotal ACE that broke FaZe’s structure entirely.
3) MOUZ 13–6 B8 (Overpass)
MOUZ handled B8 confidently, showcasing strategic discipline and structured defense. XertioN played like a true leader — explosive entries, excellent accuracy, and high-impact frags in clutch retake situations. B8 started well but gradually lost tempo as their T-side structures collapsed under pressure.
Best Player of the Match — Dorian “xertioN” Berman
- Rating 3.0: 1.94
- K–D: 20–7
- ADR: 93.4
- KAST: 84.2%
Impact: Leadership in key rounds and unmatched consistency in decisive situations.
4) FURIA 13–5 Imperial (Dust2)
FURIA continue playing like one of the top contenders of the Major. They gave Imperial no chance: overwhelming duel control, organized defensive rotations, and a calm closing phase. Molodoy again showed why he is considered one of the biggest revelations of the season.
Best Player of the Match — Danil “molodoy” Golubenko
- Rating 3.0: 1.71
- K–D: 16–5
- ADR: 77.3
- KAST: 83.3%
Impact: Explosive early-round presence and flawless entry/trade mechanics.
5) Vitality 13–4 3DMAX (Nuke)
Vitality responded to all doubts with an overwhelming display. 3DMAX couldn’t find a single weakness in their defense, while ropz produced a near-perfect map — elite positioning, efficient rotations, and high ADR across all rounds.
Best Player of the Match — Robin “ropz” Kool
- Rating 3.0: 1.91
- K–D: 18–10
- ADR: 102.1
- KAST: 94.1%
Impact: Exceptional DPR and complete control of both upper and lower bombsites.
6) Falcons 13–5 Passion UA (Nuke)
Falcons delivered one of the most stable matches of the stage. NiKo demolished duel after duel, and the team operated like a well-tuned machine. The 10–2 first half erased any doubt about the outcome. Passion UA fought hard but consistently lost individual fights, especially on the A site.
Best Player of the Match — Nikola “NiKo” Kovač
- Rating 3.0: 2.41
- K–D: 26–9
- ADR: 161.6
- KAST: 94.4%
Impact: Complete dominance in every engagement, decisive multikills, and immaculate A-site control.
7) The MongolZ 13–9 Liquid (Inferno)
The closest match of the evening. Liquid started strong, but MongolZ regained control through mid aggression and clinical retakes. Controlez produced crucial multikills, including a momentum-shifting ACE. Liquid controlled portions of the map but lacked discipline in critical rounds.
Best Player of the Match — Unudelger “controlez” Baasanjargal
- Rating 3.0: 1.31
- K–D: 18–11
- ADR: 77.7
- KAST: 72.7%
Impact: A decisive ACE and consistent clutch reliability.
8) NAVI 13–6 PARIVISION (Ancient)
NAVI closed the day with a confident victory. Makazze was flawless in duels, while the team read every rotation and dominated the economy. PARIVISION tried to keep up early, but lost key clutches that broke their momentum. The second half became a display of NAVI’s superior structure.
Best Player of the Match — Drin “makazze” Shaqiri
- Rating 3.0: 1.70
- K–D: 19–12
- ADR: 107.3
- KAST: 89.5%
Impact: The strongest NAVI performance of the day — duel dominance, intelligent positioning, and stability in retakes.
Updated VRS Changes (Stage 3)
- G2: +24 pt
- paiN: –12 pt
- Spirit: +35 pt
- FaZe: –8 pt
- MOUZ: +23 pt
- B8: –9 pt
- FURIA: –6 pt
- Imperial: –11 pt
- Vitality: +17 pt
- 3DMAX: –6 pt
- Falcons: +10 pt
- Passion UA: –2 pt
- The MongolZ: +24 pt
- Liquid: –12 pt
- NAVI: +29 pt
- PARIVISION: –8 pt
Standings After first Stage 3 day
2–0 Bracket → Matches for 3–0 Qualification
- G2
- Spirit
- MOUZ
- FURIA
1–1 Bracket → Matches for 2–1 / Drop to 1–2
- paiN
- FaZe
- B8
- Imperial
- Vitality
- Falcons
- The MongolZ
- NAVI
0–2 Bracket → Elimination Matches
- 3DMAX
- Passion UA
- Liquid
- PARIVISION
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What’s Next
- For the first time in this stage, we’ll see 3–0 qualification matches.
- We will also witness the first eliminations at 0–3.
- Favorites like Furia, G2, Spirit, MOUZ hold strong positions.
- Meanwhile, Passion UA, Liquid, PARIVISION, and 3DMAX are on the brink — one mistake could cost them the Major.
The Budapest Major now enters its most intense phase — the pressure will only grow from here.
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.
