The MongolZ confidently marched on at Esports World Cup 2025, defeating the French squad 3DMAX in the quarterfinals with a 2-1 scoreline. After a tense battle, the Mongolian team secured their spot in the semifinals, where they now await the winner of Vitality vs TYLOO. Despite the loss, 3DMAX will be remembered for their sensational upset against reigning champions NAVI, leaving the tournament with a bold statement.
Tournament Run
The French side 3DMAX delivered one of the biggest surprises of the Esports World Cup 2025. In their opening match, they faced NAVI — the reigning champions from last year’s event — and stunned the crowd by eliminating them 2-1. This victory not only boosted their confidence but also instantly placed them among the serious contenders in the playoffs.
The MongolZ, meanwhile, lived up to their reputation as favorites, showing composure and solid teamwork. In their opening match, they had no trouble securing a clean 2-0 win, once again proving they can maintain a high tempo at major events. Their performance looked stable and convincing, which only added intrigue ahead of the quarterfinal clash.
Quarterfinal Match
The quarterfinal battle between The MongolZ and 3DMAX carried extra weight, as the two teams had recently faced each other at IEM Cologne 2025, where the Mongolian side won 2-0. This time, the series opened on Ancient — 3DMAX’s pick. The MongolZ quickly seized control, building a dominant 10:2 lead in the first half. Although the French tried to mount a comeback, the final score of 13:9 went in favor of the Mongolian squad.
On the second map, The MongolZ’s pick, 3DMAX showed resilience and fought back. Their strong attacking side allowed them to equalize the series with a 13:9 win. The decisive Nuke, however, once again showcased the class of The MongolZ. They firmly shut down their opponents, closing the map 13:8 and confirming their superiority over the French team to advance to the semifinals.
MVP of the Match
The standout player of the quarterfinal was The MongolZ’s captain bLitz, who combined leadership qualities with top-tier individual skill. His statistics highlight his impact: ADR — 88.4, Swing — +3.31%, rating — 1.41. Thanks to his stability and smart decisions, The MongolZ were able to keep control in crucial moments and confidently punch their ticket to the semifinals.
Battle for the Final
The MongolZ once again proved their strength on the international stage, overcoming 3DMAX and booking a semifinal spot. There, they will meet the winner of TYLOO vs Vitality, with the European powerhouse Vitality being the clear favorite. As for 3DMAX, their journey ends here — but despite falling short, their shocking elimination of NAVI has already cemented their place in the story of this year’s Esports World Cup.
