The Swiss 1–1 pool of Stage 3 at the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 turned into an explosive mix of surprises and expected outcomes: Vitality dismantled B8 without breaking a sweat, The MongolZ once again punished FaZe, Falcons obliterated Imperial thanks to a god-tier performance from kyosuke, and NAVI confidently overpowered paiN. Four favorites moved up to 2–1, while the others now stand one step away from elimination matches.
B8 vs Vitality — 2:13 (Inferno)
This wasn’t just a defeat — it was a tactical demolition. From the very first round, Vitality seized control on Inferno and never let go. B8 hoped to enforce their structured defensive style, but the French-European roster gave them no space: fast hits, instant punishment for aggression, and perfect reads on every setup.
ZywOo — Player of the Match:
- 17–8
- ADR 106.7
- KAST 86.7%
- Rating 3.0 — 2.05
B8 failed to adapt in early timings and retake situations. npl and headtr1ck, usually the team’s stabilizing force, collapsed under pressure. Vitality, meanwhile, played like a championship machine — cold, calculated, and mercilessly efficient.
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FaZe vs The MongolZ — 7:13 (Mirage)
The rivalry between The MongolZ and FaZe has become a defining storyline of the CS2 era — and once again, the Mongolian powerhouse came out on top. Mirage was under full MongolZ control: aggressive splits, deep utility, and flawless awareness of FaZe’s every position.
910 — Player of the Match, another magical performance:
- 24–13
- ADR 124.7
- Swing +11.73%
- Rating 3.0 — 2.00
FaZe found themselves in a familiar scenario: their individual talent couldn’t compensate for poor mid-round control and lost timings. Even with broky’s impact, the team repeatedly fell in 2v2s, 3v3s, and post-plant situations. One stat says it all: The MongolZ now hold 4 wins over FaZe in their last six encounters.
Imperial vs Falcons — 1:13 (Mirage)
Falcons produced one of the most one-sided matches of the entire Major. Mirage became the stage for complete domination, with Imperial winning just a single round. From explosive openers to tempo shifts and flawless map control, Falcons played with beauty, aggression, and ruthless efficiency.
kyosuke — Player of the Match:
- 21–9
- ADR 131.1
- KAST 92.9%
- Rating 3.0 — 2.31
m0NESY also delivered a highly confident performance built on pure AWP control. Imperial couldn’t find a single gap, not a single timing that could turn the tide. Falcons looked like a team rediscovering their BLAST Rivals form.
paiN vs NAVI — 8:13 (Dust2)
Dust2 became the perfect reset for NAVI after a shaky start to the Budapest campaign. They excelled in opening duels, won the key fights, and repeatedly pressured paiN’s weakest positions.
makazze — Player of the Match:
- 17–11
- ADR 90.1
- Swing +4.71%
- Rating 3.0 — 1.44
iM also delivered a strong performance (19–11, ADR 108.7), while w0nderful added crucial stability in late rounds. paiN played disciplined Counter-Strike, but lacked the firepower to match NAVI’s individual level.
This victory is extremely important for NAVI:
- psychologically,
- strategically,
- and in terms of VRS (+19 points and a rise into the top 6).
VRS Results — Quick Summary
- Vitality: +12 → #3
- The MongolZ: +20 → #5
- Falcons: +13 → #2
- Natus Vincere: +19 → #6
- B8: –9 → #11
- FaZe: –10 → #13
- Imperial: –3 → #23
- paiN: –9 → #15
Favorites Rise, Mid-Tier Teams Slip Toward Danger
The 1–1 pool has clearly separated the field into two groups:
Advanced to 2–1 (one win from qualification):
- Vitality
- The MongolZ
- Falcons
- Natus Vincere
Each team looks strong in their own way: Vitality with structure, The MongolZ with unpredictability and aggression, Falcons with discipline and firepower, and NAVI with renewed stability.
Dropped to 1–2 (one loss from elimination):
- B8
- FaZe
- Imperial
- paiN
For these teams, the next match is a do-or-die scenario: one more defeat — and their Major run is over.
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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.
