Who can challenge Vitality in the IEM Dallas 2025 Playoffs?

Another day, another Semi-Final run at a minimum for Vitality at IEM Dallas 2025. It’s business as usual for the team, who yesterday extended their absurd series win streak to 28. Vitality won’t be involved in tomorrow’s Quarter-Final matches at IEM Dallas 2025, but they’ll be seen as the team to beat when they enter the Playoffs.

As the stark favorites to go on and win the tournament, it’s obviously tough to envision that anyone will be able to put a stop to the Vitality machine, although their close call against The MongolZ in the final Groups match will offer some hope that this team isn’t unbeatable. Only the top-class ability of flameZ was able to keep the streak alive on the Mirage decider, giving the team something to think about heading into the Playoffs.

Of the teams remaining in IEM Dallas, who can actually topple Vitality against the odds? I’ve got no doubt it’s doable, but it’ll take something special for it to happen.

Falcons remain the top contender, and the bracket may favor them

I reckon most of us are under no illusion that Falcons are the second-best CS2 team on the planet at the moment. They’ve taken Vitality to the brink in two consecutive best-of-five Finals at IEM Melbourne 2025 and BLAST Rivals Spring respectively, but have come out on the losing side on both occasions. Again, though, a best-of-five series and the pressure of a Grand Final is a different beast entirely. It becomes a test of mettle and map pool rather than pure mechanical ability.

This time around, if Falcons beat GamerLegion, the bracket means that Falcons will face Vitality in the Semi-Finals of IEM Dallas 2025. Still in front of a crowd, sure, but it’s not quite the same. Crucially, it’s only a best-of-three, meaning Falcons don’t have to be at the races across five maps to win. If NiKo and m0NESY can carry Stewie2K, nexa, and huNter- to a win at IEM Dallas 2024, they can sure as hell do the same thing with TeSeS, Magisk, and kyxsan a year later.

It should be noted that in the past couple of Finals between these two teams, Vitality have taken a 2:1 lead, which would be enough to secure the win in the best-of-three format. Still, there’s no doubt it changes the makeup of the matchup, which is why I’d back Falcons to be the team to challenge Vitality at IEM Dallas 2025 if anyone can.

MOUZ remain a tentative contender

The only other team I can really see having a chance to beat Vitality in the IEM Dallas 2025 Playoffs is MOUZ. I’m keeping my hopes low for the team’s chances, but realistically, with one of Aurora or The MongolZ to play, a Grand Final berth should be the bare minimum for this event.

But, having lost to Vitality almost two months ago in the BLAST Open Spring Final, there has been nothing to suggest that enough has changed between these two teams to give MOUZ an edge in that potential matchup. Especially in the best-of-five format, with Vitality boasting one of (if not the) deepest map pools in the scene right now.

I’d give them a 20% chance. It could happen, but I’d never put my house on it. The good news for MOUZ is that they’re flawless at IEM Dallas 2025 so far. Not a single map lost, even with Falcons in the mix. Should they beat Aurora or The MongolZ, expect them to face Vitality in what would be their biggest test yet. With torzsi and Spinx being the two highest-rated players of the event at 1.50 and 1.45 respectively, who’s to say they’re not real contenders?