The air in Paris crackled with anticipation as VALORANT Champions 2025 entered its critical Upper Bracket Semifinals. Fans and analysts alike braced for high-octane tactical duels, but what unfolded exceeded all expectations. The day delivered narratives of resilience, a stand-in`s spectacular performance, and even a record-shattering individual display, proving once again that esports at its highest level is anything but predictable.
Fnatic`s Defiant Stand: A Triumph Against the Odds
Perhaps the most compelling story of the day belonged to EMEA`s Fnatic. Facing the formidable Pacific champions, Paper Rex (PRX), Fnatic was dealt a significant blow before the match even began: their star sentinel, Emir ‘Alfajer’ Beder, was sidelined due to health complications. Stepping into these massive shoes was Domagoj ‘Doma’ Fancev, a stand-in who, by all conventional wisdom, should have meant a dip in performance for Fnatic. Yet, the team, under the astute leadership of Jake ‘Boaster’ Howlett, defied logic.
The series kicked off on PRX`s map pick, Bind. Despite early struggles and a 0-4 deficit, Fnatic clawed back, showcasing a dominant defensive side. Kayetan ‘kaajak’ Haremski was a defensive powerhouse, and Doma seamlessly integrated, impressing with both aim and utility usage. Though PRX ultimately took Bind 13-10, it was clear Fnatic, even with a stand-in, was not to be underestimated.
On Haven, Fnatic truly found their stride. After a quick thrifty round win, they built an impressive economy. kaajak continued his rampage on Yoru, leading Fnatic to an 8-5 halftime lead. Boaster`s in-game leadership shone, intelligently exploiting PRX`s information gaps and consistently forcing them into unfavorable retakes against a robust post-plant Viper composition, a strategy often attributed to Gen.G. The result was a decisive 13-4 victory for Fnatic, evening the series.
The deciding map, Lotus, delivered a comeback for the ages. Initially, Fnatic seemed to falter on attack, losing nine consecutive rounds after an early pistol win. PRX`s Jason ‘f0rsakeN’ Susanto, with his cheeky Omen plays and Odin spams, locked down sites, pushing Fnatic to a daunting 3-9 deficit at the half. Any reasonable observer might have declared the series over. However, Fnatic, it seemed, had other plans. They not only claimed the pistol and bonus rounds in the second half but then embarked on an astonishing 12-round win streak, completing a “reality-bending” comeback to secure Lotus 13-9 and the series 2-1. This victory, achieved with a stand-in and from the brink of defeat, cemented Fnatic’s status as true contenders.
NRG`s Grit and aspas`s Immortal Mark in a Record-Setting Clash
The drama continued in the all-VCT Americas derby between NRG and MIBR. This series was a testament to sheer individual brilliance colliding with team fortitude. Despite an almost superhuman performance from MIBR’s star duelist Erick ‘aspas’ Santos, NRG ultimately prevailed 2-1 in a grueling contest.
The first map, MIBR`s pick Abyss, was a seesaw battle that stretched into overtime. NRG had a strong start, but aspas, on his signature agent Jett, brought MIBR back, leading to a 6-6 halftime. The second half was a relentless exchange of aim duels and strategic pushes, with MIBR often utilizing audacious on-site smokes for aspas to exploit. Yet, NRG’s resilience, fueled by clutch plays from IGL Ethan ‘Ethan’ Arnold and rookie duelist Adam ‘mada’ Pampuch, saw them snatch the map 16-14 in overtime.
On Haven, MIBR delivered a masterclass in the Gen.G-popularized Viper/Omen composition, dominating NRG 13-4. Ethan’s mid-round calling, typically relying on fast, set strategies, struggled against MIBR’s adaptable defense. The Brazilians’ Killjoy setups, notably on C-long and garage, proved impenetrable, showcasing MIBR’s depth.
The final showdown on Corrode was another overtime thriller. Both teams, running solo-Waylay compositions, demonstrated strong attacking phases. MIBR secured five attack rounds on a typically defense-sided map through versatile pacing. However, a pivotal thrifty win for NRG after MIBR`s fifth pistol round victory of the series shifted the momentum dramatically. NRG executed convincing site takes, while MIBR’s rookies seemed to buckle under the mounting pressure. Despite IGL Andrew ‘Verno’ Maust’s heroic Sova ultimate and a last-minute plant denial to force overtime, and even an incredible ACE from aspas in overtime, NRG held firm, closing out the map 16-14 and the series 2-1.
While MIBR tasted defeat, aspas left an indelible mark on VALORANT history. With a staggering kill-death-assist (KDA) of 80/42/6 across the series, he shattered the record for the most kills ever recorded at a VCT global event. A remarkable individual achievement, even in a losing effort.
The Road Ahead: High Stakes in Paris
With these intense Upper Bracket Semifinal clashes concluded, Fnatic and NRG now advance to the Upper Bracket Final, set to unfold on October 3rd at the iconic Accor Arena in Paris. Their paths to glory are clear, but fraught with peril.
Meanwhile, Paper Rex and MIBR, despite their impressive showings, face a more arduous journey. They must now navigate the unforgiving Lower Bracket, where every match is an elimination game. Paper Rex will battle EMEA`s Team Heretics, while MIBR will square off against Pacific’s DRX. For these teams, the fight for survival continues tomorrow, promising more nail-biting action and unexpected turns. The dream of becoming VALORANT Champions in Paris lives on, albeit through a more challenging route for some.
