Summary:
- G2 and DRX both fell to the VCT Champions 2025’s lower bracket early on, which set up an intense elimination match.
- G2 Esports surprised us all after facing elimination early and lost to DRX.
It was a wild opening upset at the VCT Champions 2025 in Paris that no one could have anticipated: G2, one of Europe’s all-time teams, got sent home by DRX, South Korea’s up-and-coming powerhouse. This was the harsh tournament life; your history matters little, every match is everything. And what a fun rollercoaster it was to remind us all how unpredictable and thrilling esports can be.
DRX and G2’s Road to the Lower Bracket
Both DRX and G2 Esports lost their first match in the upper bracket and ended up in the lower bracket of VCT Champions 2025.
G2, who were favorites upon entering due to their dominance in the VCT Americas season, were sent to the lower bracket by PRX on September 25. Meanwhile, DRX briefly showed signs of fight in their upper bracket match against Fnatic, but they eventually fell to the lower bracket.
These losses led both teams to the pressure-filled first round of the lower bracket playoffs, which added to the drama of the elimination matchup. The shift to the lower bracket is where the stakes would heighten, as teams losing in the playoffs would face elimination from the championship.
Elimination Match Breakdown
In the first lower bracket match of VCT Champions 2025, DRX made a comeback win over G2 Esports, winning the series 2-1. We got to see DRX turn the match around from their early game deficit and eliminate G2 from the tournament.
1st Map: Lotus
The first map, Lotus, saw G2 flex their strategy to claim a 13-7 win. G2 had a good start on defense going 8-4 up against DRX and showed no signs of giving up.
They continued to control the match with jawgemo leading with 28 kills. DRX struggled to find their footing in the game, as HYUNMIN and BeYN struggled to establish themselves in the match.
2nd Map: Abyss
The game really changed when DRX picked Abyss. DRX raced out to a tiring early lead, 8-1 on attack and put G2 on the back foot, but G2 came storming back with a 9-round victory streak in response.
It was really tense in those last few rounds. But DRX was able to break through and closed the map 13-10 behind a 30-kill performance from HYUNMIN.
3rd Map: Bind
For the final map, Bind, DRX had their opponent, G2, outmatched due to their strong defense and incredible map control. They began hot, dominating the first few rounds and leading G2 to a halftime score of 10-2.
Flashback had a fantastic match with the Operator, and IGL MaKo had great calls too. With great defense, DRX forced G2 into elimination early in the VCT Champions 2025 with a 13-7 final map score.
What’s Next for G2 and DRX?
G2 Esports is out of the 2025 VCT Champions after being eliminated by DRX and taking 7th-8th place. Now the focus moves entirely toward rebuilding and prepping for next season. G2 has their spot in the VCT Americas 2026 locked in, thanks to their qualifying run, and will attempt to get back on track.
DRX has really taken advantage of their win and provided a new wave of energy and confidence to their roster. This win not only continues their hopes of qualifying for Champions 2025, but also places them firmly in the top 6 of the tournament.
Conclusion
G2 Esports getting knocked out of VCT Champions 2025 so soon after their crazy match against DRX is a shocking result that completely changes the picture. Their story started off with great promise but ended very quickly. Nonetheless, it showed how fast momentum can swing with competitive Valorant. G2 might be going back to square one, but fans will certainly be watching to see how they get ready for the next big event.
Writer’s Recommendation:
If you liked this article, you might want to take a look at our other esports articles! Make sure to go through our related content to feed your esports passion and never miss a beat.
