In the final Decider matches of the group stage of Valorant Champions Paris, GIANTX and DRX both sprang surprises, taking down Xi Lai Gaming (XLG) and Team Liquid respectively, netting themselves a playoffs spot while eliminating their opponents. With the playoff on the line, both teams delivered when it mattered most, both closing out their series 2-0 to secure their positions.
GIANTX vs XLG — GX Shut Down Chinese Squad
In group A’s deciding series, GIANTX faced Xi Lai Gaming with one playoff berth available. The bans were: XLG banned Sunset, GIANTX banned Abyss. XLG opted for Bind as their pick, GIANTX chose Ascent. Lotus was the remaining map.
Bind: GIANTX win 14-12
The first half saw XLG start strong on their attacking side, with their team opting to run just a Waylay over the more conventional Yoru or Raze on the map, and they ended the half 8-4. But GIANTX responded fiercely in the second half, making a comeback to bring the map to 12-12 and push it into an OT thanks to a 1v2 clutch from Grubinho. They won the next two rounds to take the map, with their strong attack and utility usage having sealed it 14-12.
On Bind, ara for GIANTX was a key difference-maker. He had 27 frags, 7 first kills, and an ADR of 184, the highest on the server.
Ascent: GIANTX win 13-10
After their narrow win on Bind, GIANTX were now on their own map pick as both teams ran mirror comps. The first half saw XLG once again with a small lead at 7-5, but GIANTX managed to equalize and then take over in the second half. Key rounds came from their defensive side, managing to shut down XLG’s defense in a lot of rounds and playing more to deny space than for a retake. The final score came to 13-10 in GX’s favor, qualifying them for playoffs.
The standout for Ascent was once again ara. Playing Jett on the map, he had a +15 kill differential and six first kills. He consistently pressured site defenders and his space-taking on defense brought valuable early info for his team. He also had five 3Ks through the course of the map.
Series MVP: ara
Overall, ara earns the series MVP. His high impact across both maps — his first kills and being able to find multi-frags consistently pushed GIANTX over the edge. With this result, GIANTX qualifies for the Playoffs, and XLG are eliminated.
DRX vs Team Liquid — DRX Clean Sweep, Liquid Left Behind
In group C’s decider, DRX met Team Liquid. DRX had dropped from the upper bracket after their loss against NRG, while Team Liquid were entering after a terse win against EDG. TL banned Haven, DRX banned Sunset. TL picked Corrode, DRX responded with Abyss, and the remaining map after other bans was Bind.
Corrode: DRX win 13-8
DRX started the series on their opponent’s map pick, opting for the defensive side first. Both teams were rocking the double duelist, with DRX having Yoru and Waylay while TL had Neon and Waylay. A key surprise was that nAts was playing duelist, whereas he usually plays a more lurk-heavy role on agents like Viper and Cypher. This was the Russian’s first-ever duelist pick, having never played the role in his more than 500-game career.
The first half was balanced, but DRX began to pull away as they swapped to their attack side, using superior setups and better timing to close rounds. They only lost two rounds in the second half and took the map 13-8. Liquid had moments, but DRX’s consistency and ability to win clutches showed.
On Corrode, MaKo and Flashback had standout performances. Flashback had six first kills, while both players had an ACS over 250, as well as 177 and 188 ADR respectively. For TL, the last-minute agent swap didn’t pay the dividends they’d wanted.
Abyss: DRX win 13-7
DRX headed next to their map pick of Abyss, starting out on defense again. Liquid found a slight lead at the conclusion of the half at 7-5, but on attack, DRX’s Yoru/Waylay comp, as well as their utility and coordination, were incredibly precise. They only lost one round on their attacking side, which was the bonus round where they had a lesser buy. The final was 13-7, with DRX closing out cleanly.
The map two MVP went to HYUNMIN on Waylay, who ended with 24 frags, 5 first kills, and a +10 kill differential. His aggressive plays disrupted Liquid’s defense in the second half.
Series MVP: Flashback
Overall, Flashback is the series MVP. His influence on both maps on Yoru, his 9 first kills across both maps, as well as his consistent damage and ability to be a menace across the map thanks to Yoru’s kit made him the standout. DRX clinch the final playoff spot coming out of Group C, while Team Liquid unfortunately end their Champs 2025 journey.
Final VALORANT Champions Playoff Spots
With GIANTX and DRX qualifying, it’s now down to the final two matches that will decide the last two playoff spots: T1 vs G2 and MIBR vs RRQ. Both of these Bo3 decider matches will determine who joins the already-qualified teams in the playoffs and who is sent home. T1 vs G2 in particular should be a tense game, with G2 looking for revenge after their loss at Masters Bangkok. The pressure is on — lose here, and you go home; win, and you keep championship hopes alive.
