Defending champions Natus Vincere have bowed out of the Esports World Cup 2025 following an embarrassing defeat at the hands of 3DMAX, who dropped a mind-blowing performance on the big stage for the world to see.
VETO
- 3DMAX removed Mirage
- Natus Vincere removed Overpass
- 3DMAX picked Ancient
- Natus Vincere picked Inferno
- 3DMAX removed Train
- Natus Vincere removed Dust2
- Nuke was left over
Map 1: Ancient; Pick: 3DMAX, Winner: NAVI
Going 4-0 up, 3DMAX put NAVI on the back in a map they have enjoyed a lot of recent success on. Despite a difficult start, the CIS side managed to salvage the half, leading to a respectable scoreline of 7-5 before switching sides. The momentum they caught on the defence, NAVI carried it to the offence, where they found themselves on map point before 3DMAX pulled in a few rounds. Trading rounds for a while, NAVI managed to edge past the French side and thus won the map 13-10.
Map 2: Inferno; Pick: NAVI, Winner: 3DMAX
Having won their first round with a force buy win, NAVI shifted the momentum, gaining a significant lead early on, with both teams trading equal blows. Switching sides with an 8-4 lead, NAVI dropped the ball after winning the pistol round. Not only did 3DMAX manage to win the force buy, but they also continued the game with a stellar streak of 9 rounds to shock NAVI with a miraculous comeback and take the series to the deciding map.
Map 3: Nuke; Pick: Decider, Winner: 3DMAX
Despite being on the offensive, NAVI ended poorly as 3DMAX managed to muster 8 rounds to their name, which served as a buffer when moving to the less favorable offensive side of Nuke. NAVI started the half with a streak of 5 rounds, almost leveling the scoreline before 3DMAX got back on the board. Trading rounds for a while, NAVI leveled the scoreline with 11 rounds to their names. 3DMAX, with their backs against the wall, pulled a rabbit out of the hat with Maka pulling off a stunning Bomb defence to take his team over the line. Lucky, with a 1.46 IR, proved to be a deciding factor for his team as they beat NAVI with a 13-11 tight scoreline in the final map.
This win puts 3DMAX in a quarter-final clash against MongolZ, an opponent they are very familiar with. While they are the second favorites coming into the match, it will not be too ambitious to say that they can come out on top.
