The upper quarterfinals of the first day of the playoffs at Valorant Champions 2025 produced fireworks today. In the first match, Paper Rex (PRX) survived a fierce fight against G2 Esports to move forward after three maps. In the other, Fnatic handled DRX in a mostly convincing fashion. With both winners advancing, the first upper semifinal is set to be FNC vs PRX. Meanwhile, DRX and G2 both drop to the lower bracket.
PRX vs G2 Esports — PRX Edges Through to Semifinals
The match between PRX and G2 was a true clash of titans. The map veto had PRX ban Abyss, G2 ban Bind. PRX chose Lotus, G2 responded with Corrode. PRX then banned Haven, G2 banned Sunset, leaving Ascent as the decider.
Map 1 — Lotus
PRX opened on Lotus. The first half was quite tight, with both sides exchanging rounds until the half closed out 6-6. On their attacking side, PRX’s team comp of the Yoru/Raze kicked into action. After the switch, PRX’s mid-round reads tightened and, with some individual heroic,s forced G2 into unfavorable situations and retakes. PRX closed the map with authority, taking it 13-11, denying OT, and ending things before G2 could mount a comeback.
On Lotus, Jinggg of PRX was instrumental. He accumulated four first kills, had the highest ADR on his team, and an ACS of 247. He and something contributed to PRX’s ability to stay ahead in rounds that could’ve tilted either way.
Map 2 — Corrode
G2 turned to Corrode and, despite a slow opening on the map, took control late in the half to once again end their attacking side at 6-6. The second half was just as tense, with both teams trading rounds. G2 were poised to win the map at 12-11, but a massive 1v3 clutch from something pushed the map into OT. G2 and PRX both contested the map, until G2 finally won 17-15, pushing the series to a decider.
JonahP’s Fade stole the show on Corrode. His stats were only surpassed by something on Yoru, with both players having 280+ ACS and 6+ first kills each.
Map 3 — Ascent
The decider was Ascent, and it was PRX’s Vyse/Sage vs G2’s Vyse/Chamber composition, with both teams featuring Yoru as their duelist. PRX began on defense, managing to eke out rounds, but G2’s comp thrived on attack thanks to leaf finding 4 first kills and 17 frags in just the first half alone. G2 led 8–4 going into the break.
After the switch, PRX clawed back with strategic aggression, winning out scrappy post plants and once again having individuals step up huge. Ultimately, PRX closed the map 13–11 to clinch the series and deny OT. As a result of the loss, G2 were the first team to drop to the lower bracket.
In the decider, f0rsakeN starred for PRX both in terms of his IGLing and fragging. He delivered clutch kills, solid utility support, and consistently found multi-frags in pivotal rounds. With 310 ACS, five first kills, and a +14 kill differential, he was the difference maker for Paper Rex and made several rounds swing in their favor when G2 looked poised to win.
Series MVP
Over the series, something emerges as the MVP for PRX, even though leaf may have had the best ACS thanks to his +20 kill differential and 13 first kills across the series. While f0rsakeN and leaf both had dominant map performances, something’s overall consistency throughout the series gave PRX the edge to survive and advance.
Fnatic vs DRX — Fnatic Sails Through to Semifinals
In the other upper quarterfinal, Fnatic and DRX locked horns. Fnatic came out on top, winning the series 2-1 despite starting map one 2-10 down.
Map 1 — Haven
The first map looked like a really bad start for FNATIC on their opponent’s map pick. DRX dominated on their attack side, courtesy of their Waylay/Neon aggression. The Pacific team struck first and built a lead of 10-2 at the half, but Fnatic fought back. After halftime, momentum shifted as FNC won six straight rounds before DRX netted a single one, pushing the score to 11-8 for DRX. Fnatic began closing rounds with better executes and postplants, denying DRX match point. The final score was 13–11 in favor of Fnatic as they completed a massive comeback.
On Haven, Alfajer on KJ was decisive. He secured crucial rounds thanks to his multifrags, was a menace across the map — making DRX bleed for map control — and had an ACS of 283, the highest on the server. Both him and kaajak delivered under Boaster’s motivational leadership.
Map 2 — Ascent
Fnatic picked Ascent as their map of choice, and after their comeback win on map one, momentum was in their favor. After a 5-2 start for the European squad, DRX recovered a little with some wins of their own to catch up and end the half only 5-7 doen. However, on attack, DRX were the ones to look dominant. and after a pistol and anti-eco loss, went on to win the map without dropping a round at 13–8.
Chronicle and Flashback both stood out on Ascent in terms of frags garnered. However, it was the team synergy for DRX that pushed them into the lead. They were able to consistently make plays and find reads to shut down FNC’s defensive setups.
Map 3 — Lotus
Map three was somewhere both teams had a good deal of experience, but FNC were headed in with a battle plan. Starting on attack, FNC built up a 6-2 lead that they were then able to convert into an 8-4 half. They continued to dominate after a pistol win, getting to 12-4, eventually winning the map 13-5 in a dominant display.
Alfajer on Killjoy was the star for FNATIC on the map. His lurks as well as trades were top tier, and he had a 326 ACS, higher than anyone else by far. He also had a kill differential of +10, showing the pressure he constantly exerted on DRX. He is also the series MVP. With this win, Fnatic secures their semifinal spot against PRX.
Next at VALORANT Champions: Heretics vs MIBR, GIANTX vs NRG
The bracket now features the second set of opening games on the opposite side of the bracket. Upcoming matches include Team Heretics vs MIBR and GIANTX vs NRG — both will determine how the bracket shapes up.
