The quarterfinals of PGL Masters Bucharest 2025 marked a day of Brazilian–Portuguese triumph. Legacy finally claimed revenge over their regional rivals paiN, winning 2–1, while SAW delivered one of the biggest upsets of the tournament by eliminating Team Liquid 2–1. Both teams advanced to the semifinals, proving that discipline and belief can dismantle even the strongest names.
Road to the Quarterfinals
For Legacy, this match was the culmination of an incredible 2025 run. After victories against FlyQuest and Gentle Mates in the Swiss Stage, the Brazilians entered the playoffs in top form. Although they had lost five straight maps against paiN before this match, Legacy showcased maturity, composure, and tactical structure to finally break the “curse.”
paiN, who reached the playoffs after a flawless 3–0 run, came in as clear favorites. Yet their inability to adapt to Legacy’s tempo — combined with the opposing team’s remarkable individual form — turned the tide completely.
For SAW, this event has been a story of revival. The Portuguese squad fought their way through Aurora and GamerLegion, then stunned Team Liquid in the quarterfinals. Despite Liquid’s strong start, they couldn’t maintain control and suffered a crushing defeat.
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paiN vs Legacy
Result: 1–2 (7–13 Inferno, 13–10 Dust2, 7–13 Nuke)
- Inferno — Legacy’s strong start
Legacy opened the series confidently, displaying disciplined defense and coordinated plays under saadzin’s leadership. The duo of n1ssim and dumau locked down crucial areas, shutting down paiN’s attempts to gain map control. The map ended 13–7 — and Legacy took the lead in the series.
- Dust2 — paiN strike back
paiN responded on their map pick with renewed focus. dav1deuS and nqz dominated duels and dictated the pace of play. Despite latto’s efforts to mount a comeback, paiN took the map 13–10, evening the score at 1–1.
- Nuke — the long-awaited revenge
The decider turned into a statement map for Legacy. lux and latto spearheaded the entry plays, while n1ssim once again proved his leadership and consistency. Legacy closed out Nuke 13–7, securing their first-ever victory over paiN and advancing to the semifinals.
Player of the Match — Vinicius “n1ssim” Pereira
- K–D: 50–38
- ADR: 78.3
- KAST: 74.6%
- Rating 3.0: 1.29
n1ssim was the heart of the team — composed under pressure, precise in duels, and tactically sharp. He earned 76% of fan votes on HLTV as the MVP of the series.
Liquid vs SAW
Result: 1–2 (13–4 Ancient, 2–13 Train, 1–13 Inferno)
- Ancient — Liquid dominate early
Liquid opened the series in spectacular fashion. NAF and EliGE led the way, dismantling SAW’s setups and dictating the tempo. The 13–4 scoreline seemed to foreshadow a comfortable win.
- Train — SAW’s thunderous response
But the Portuguese squad answered with a storm. story and MUTiRiS completely neutralized Liquid’s attack, while Ag1L aggressively led the charge with fearless entries. SAW demolished their opponents 13–2, leveling the series and regaining full confidence.
- Inferno — dismantling the favorite
The third map was pure dominance. Liquid stood no chance against SAW’s synergy — perfect utility usage, tight rotations, and laser-sharp aim. The 13–1 finish was one of the most stunning results of the entire tournament.
Player of the Match — André “Ag1L” Gil
- K–D: 35–23
- ADR: 87.1
- KAST: 87.0%
- Rating 3.0: 1.39
Ag1L was the engine of SAW’s victory — confident, composed, and relentless. His leadership and tempo control carried the team to their first-ever international LAN semifinal.
Valve Regional Standings (VRS) Impact
The quarterfinal results reshaped the global ranking picture with precise point adjustments:
- Legacy gained +8 points, maintaining 10th place in the world (from 1752 → 1760 pt).
- paiN lost –7 points, falling one spot from #17 to #18 (1596 → 1589 pt).
- SAW earned a massive +44 points, climbing from #19 to #15 (1510 → 1554 pt) — their best global ranking in recent years.
- Liquid dropped –24 points, slipping from #10 to #11 (1769 → 1745 pt), once again exposing their lack of stability in decisive matches.
The Symbolism of the Day
These quarterfinals embodied the renewal of the global CS2 scene. Legacy broke their long-standing barrier against paiN, proving that the new generation of Brazilian Counter-Strike is built not just on passion but on tactical discipline. Meanwhile, SAW reignited European pride — a team that blends structure, heart, and belief, toppling one of the most decorated lineups in the world. For paiN and Liquid, this was a painful reminder that even giants fall when they fail to adapt.
The playoffs of PGL Masters Bucharest 2025 continue to deliver unpredictable and emotional narratives. Legacy took a historic leap forward, while SAW proved that their fairytale is far from over. Up next: semifinals — where Brazilian fire meets Portuguese precision in the battle for the championship crown.
