Aurora and The MongolZ upset the odds to reach CS2 Esports World Cup 2025 Final

The CS2 Esports World Cup 2025 has been every bit as scintillating as expected, an event defined by thrilling clutches, heartbreaking moments, and the most surprising of upsets. Now, 16 teams have been whittled down to just two: Aurora and The MongolZ. Two teams with the hopes of entire nations behind them. Turkey vs. Mongolia, two countries as passionate as anywhere about Counter-Strike.

But prior to today’s matches, neither were pegged to make the Final of the Counter-Strike Esports World Cup. No, these were both underdogs. So how did they upset the odds to set up the most unlikely of clashes? We’ve got the lowdown.

The MongolZ kick off real rivalry with Vitality, knock them out of back-to-back events

Throughout 2025, The MongolZ vs. Vitality hasn’t been a rivalry. Not even close. Vitality have humbled The MongolZ, time and time again, although that recently changed at BLAST Bounty. But once, you can write off as a fluke. Twice? No. This is a real contest now, with The MongolZ defeating Vitality once more to condemn them to a third consecutive Semi-Final finish this season.

Full credit to The MongolZ, too. They were made to work for every inch of ground in this CS2 Esports World Cup 2025 Semi-Final, and had to bounce back from a humbling Dust2 loss to see this one out across three maps. Cometh the hour, cometh the men, though – The MongolZ were ready to stand up and be counted. Special shoutout to Techno, who delivered the second-best LAN map of his career on the Nuke decider to see The MongolZ home. Another tournament, another Final for The MongolZ at the CS2 Esports World Cup 2025. Who said they’re not real contenders?

With Vitality, we’re beyond red flags now. The alarm is blaring, and in Counter-Strike, you’re only as good as your last match. Last season’s achievements be damned. It’s the flaccid T-sides that are doing the real damage for Vitality right now, and without some new ideas, it’s possible their trophy haul for 2025 is already complete.

Aurora level up to put down Falcons in front of home crowd

National teams on top, I guess. That’s the story of today, with Aurora joining The MongolZ in the Final of the CS2 Esports World Cup 2025 by taking down the superstar-studded Falcons lineup in front of a home Saudi crowd. 2:0 the scoreline, a classic case of left, right, goodnight.

Inferno felt like a gimme for Aurora. At the moment, kyousuke’s vast inexperience on the map (playing it just three times ever) means it will take a real adjustment period before Falcons are able to compete at an elite level there. And yes, Aurora got the job done, a 13:6 win setting them up for further success. On paper, Train threatened to tell a different story. It’s a map Falcons are very comfortable on, and one Aurora had previously only won once this year.

But history often matters not in the world of Counter-Strike. Especially not when you have XANTARES on your team. Especially not when you have MAJ3R rolling back the years. And especially when you have Wicadia winning the most ridiculous of 1v4 clutches. Aurora needed all 24 rounds to edge out map two 13:11, but they won’t care. It’s a first Grand Final for the lineup since BLAST Bounty Season 1 with Eternal Fire, and a first under the Aurora banner. Only time will tell if they can deliver Turkish Counter-Strike its greatest-ever moment.