In the decisive match of the Esports World Cup 2025 in Riyadh, the Mongolian squad The MongolZ secured a dominant victory over the Turkish team Aurora with a 3:0 scoreline. The series was played in a Bo5 format, but after just three maps it was clear who controlled the flow of the game. This triumph solidified The MongolZ as new contenders for major titles, while Aurora, who had looked flawless up until this point, failed to find an answer to the Mongolian playstyle.
Teams’ Path in the Tournament
The MongolZ had an impressive tournament run, showing composure in tough series and proving that they can beat any opponent.
- August 20 — started with a victory against GamerLegion (2:0), confidently opening the playoffs.
- August 21 — faced 3DMAX in the quarter-finals, winning 2:1.
- August 23 — in the semi-finals, they eliminated Vitality (2:1), knocking out one of the tournament favorites.
A series of tough matches against European sides hardened MongolZ, and they entered the grand final with a perfect balance of individual form and team play.
Aurora reached the grand final with near-perfect results, showcasing strong discipline and aggressive play.
- August 20 — defeated FaZe (2:1), making a loud statement about the strength of the Turkish roster.
- August 22 — in the quarter-finals, they dismantled Heroic (2:0) without breaking a sweat.
- August 23 — in the semi-finals, they destroyed Falcons (2:0), delivering their best performance of the tournament.
Aurora entered the final as favorites according to many experts, but this match revealed the limits of their current form.
Match Recap
- Mirage — a tense finish for MongolZ (16:14)
The opening map, chosen by MongolZ, turned out to be the most intense of the series. Aurora tried to impose a fast tempo and broke through the defense of the Mongols several times with aggressive executes. However, in the key moments, MongolZ proved calmer under pressure. Senzu won crucial duels in the late second half, and Techno closed a pivotal 1v2 round at 14:14, swinging the map in their favor.
- Dust2 — Aurora collapse on their own pick (13:9)
Aurora chose Dust2, counting on the firepower of XANTARES, but the game went completely against their plan. MongolZ controlled mid with discipline and used aggressive pushes to gather information. Aurora looked lost: they dropped several rounds due to miscommunication and lost key duels in clutch moments. 13:9 — MongolZ up 2:0 in the series.
- Nuke — complete domination by MongolZ (13:4)
On Nuke, the Mongolian side looked like a machine. Their T rounds were so well-organized that Aurora often had no chance, even in man-advantage situations. bLitz dictated the pace, mzinho traded effectively, and once again Senzu stood out as the number one factor. Aurora looked exhausted, and the final 13:4 score underlined the gap in class on this night.
Player Stats for the Match
The MongolZ’s Performance in the Match
The MongolZ showcased their best CS: discipline, well-timed aggression, and composure in clutches. The team looked cohesive, with every player fulfilling their role. Senzu emerged as the star, but support from Techno and bLitz was equally vital. All of the key rounds in the final went their way, a direct result of trust in their system and confidence in execution.
Aurora’s Performance in the Match
Aurora tried to play their trademark fast-paced CS, but MongolZ always had a counter ready.
- XANTARES and Wicadia fought to keep their team alive, but their individual efforts weren’t enough.
- woxic never found stable impact with the AWP.
- The biggest issues were jottAAA (-26 K-D) and MAJ3R (-20 K-D), whose struggles practically ended Aurora’s chances.
In the end, the Turks looked like a team that had spent all their energy in previous rounds and came into the final without reserves.
Best Player of the Match of the Match
The Best Player of the Match award deservedly went to Azbayar “Senzu” Munkhbold. His stats were phenomenal: 61–44 K-D, 93.7 ADR, 1.40 rating. Senzu consistently won duels across all maps, was a key factor in clutches, and repeatedly secured opening advantages for his team. His performance became a symbol of the new generation of Mongolian CS2.
The MongolZ didn’t just win the grand final — they did it with dominance, showing they are ready to contend for trophies at every major tournament. Their victory over Aurora is a statement of serious ambitions in 2025 and the beginning of a potential Asian era in CS2.
For Aurora, it was a painful loss: they leave the tournament with a series of strong wins but with the feeling that in the most crucial moment, they lacked stability. Nevertheless, their run proved that the Turkish roster can compete at the highest level — the only question is how quickly they can address their weaknesses.
