Brazil’s FURIA have made history, claiming the IEM Chengdu 2025 championship title. In the grand final, the squad led by FalleN dismantled European favorites Vitality 3–0 — 13–11 Ancient, 13–10 Inferno, 13–11 Overpass — proving that a new Brazilian era in CS2 has truly begun.
Road to the Grand Final
FURIA had a flawless run through the tournament, once again displaying their structured yet aggressive and composed style. The Brazilians swept Lynn Vision (2–0), G2 (2–0), The MongolZ (2–0), and Falcons (2–0), dominating opponents not only through raw skill but through superior strategy.
Thanks to FalleN’s leadership — now more of a calm, analytical “commander” than ever — the team found a perfect balance between discipline and creative freedom.
Key players YEKINDAR, molodoy, yuurih, and KSCERATO all delivered some of the best performances of their careers, consistently ranking among the event’s top players.
Vitality, meanwhile, had an equally impressive road: after strong wins over Virtus.pro (2–1), G2 (2–0), Astralis (2–1), and MOUZ (2–1), the “bees” looked ready to claim another major trophy.
ZywOo was in peak form, ropz brought consistency, and flameZ together with mezii reinforced the team’s offensive depth.
But in the grand final, everything fell apart — and it all started with the very first map.
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The Match: Vitality’s Strategic Gamble, FURIA’s Total Control
- Ancient — The Risk That Broke Everything (13–11, FURIA)
Vitality shocked everyone by picking Ancient, a map they hadn’t played in over three months. It was clear they wanted to test it ahead of StarLadder Major Budapest 2025, but the experiment backfired spectacularly.
FURIA looked unstoppable: molodoy controlled the A-site flawlessly, FalleN directed rotations with surgical precision, and YEKINDAR won every crucial duel.
ZywOo tried to keep Vitality alive (52–49, 1.14 rating), but it was too late — 13–11, and FURIA took the series lead.
- Inferno — Composure vs. Chaos (13–10, FURIA)
On their own pick, Vitality started more confidently, but FURIA quickly neutralized their tempo. yuurih became the team’s engine — 57–41 K–D, ADR 81.7, Rating 1.21 — dominating key rounds and outplaying flameZ and ropz in clutch situations. FalleN once again demonstrated elite game sense, while KSCERATO served as the “silent hero,” securing every post-plant. Vitality had no answers to FURIA’s structured aggression.
- Overpass — The Final Statement (13–11, FURIA)
In the decider, Vitality relied on individual brilliance from ZywOo and flameZ, but FURIA functioned like a single, synchronized machine. YEKINDAR, the MVP of the match, won multiple clutch rounds and led the scoreboard with ADR 94.6 and a 1.26 rating. The final rounds were a masterclass in composure — FalleN’s calm calls, yuurih’s cold precision, and the team’s unity sealed the 3–0 sweep.
Player Stats
Player of the Match — Mareks “YEKINDAR” Gaļinskis
- K–D: 53–51
- ADR: 94.6
- KAST: 76.1%
- Rating 3.0: 1.26
YEKINDAR was the heart and driving force of FURIA — aggressive, calculated, and tactically aware. His play on Ancient and Overpass was a clinic in modern entry fragging.
Valve Regional Standings (VRS) Impact
- FURIA: +6 pt → 1975 → 1981 pt (#1 Worldwide)
- Vitality: –26 pt → 1963 → 1937 pt (#2)
This victory not only crowned FURIA as the IEM Chengdu 2025 champions but also cemented their place atop the global Valve Regional Standings, overtaking Vitality just weeks before StarLadder Major Budapest 2025.
Analysis: Why FURIA Won and Vitality Fell Short
FURIA — A Systemic Machine with a Brazilian Heart
FURIA have become the perfect blend of passion and precision. FalleN has built a roster where:
- YEKINDAR drives tempo and creates space,
- yuurih and KSCERATO bring stability,
- molodoy executes aggression without chaos,
- and FalleN orchestrates everything three steps ahead.
Their victory wasn’t a fluke — it’s the culmination of months of refinement, fusing emotional drive with tactical intelligence.
Vitality — A Strategic Gamble Before the Major
Vitality’s downfall wasn’t due to mechanical errors but a strategic risk. The Ancient pick — a map unseen in their official pool for three months — was a dangerous experiment. It’s evident that apEX and the coaching staff wanted to test it for the upcoming Major, but doing so in a grand final proved disastrous. Despite ZywOo’s strong form and flameZ’s efforts, Vitality lacked structure against FURIA’s well-oiled system.
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The New Champion: FURIA’s Era Begins
FURIA officially end the tournament as the best team in the world. Their triumph at IEM Chengdu isn’t just another title — it symbolizes a generational shift in Counter-Strike. The Brazilian school, modernized by FalleN and enhanced with European precision, has redefined what perfect team play looks like.
Vitality remain worthy contenders, but this time, Brazilian structure triumphed over European discipline.
