In a tournament run that started with doubt and criticism, NAVI has flipped the narrative with a thunderous 2-0 victory over MongolZ, locking in their spot in the semi-finals of IEM Cologne 2025. The win not only silenced their doubters but also avenged a rough past season where MongolZ got the better of them more than once.

Coming into Cologne, few expected NAVI to be this explosive. The team looked shaky at best in recent months. But this series was different. This was the NAVI fans have been begging to see. Against a team that had haunted them before, NAVI didn’t just survive   they dominated.

The first map, Inferno, was NAVI’s pick, but things started off in MongolZ’s favor. Their defense was rock solid, and NAVI looked shaky early on. But when the second half rolled in, NAVI’s tenacity kicked in. They clawed back round after round, eventually forcing overtime. What followed was an intense slugfest, with both teams refusing to give an inch through two overtimes. But when the third rolled in, NAVI flipped the switch. They went flawless, taking all the rounds and ripping Inferno away from MongolZ with ice-cold execution.

W0nderful delivered an absolute masterclass with 36 kills, while b1t stepped up to leave a mark in the most crucial rounds. It was a fierce comeback that sent a clear message   NAVI wasn’t here to play safe.

The second map, Ancient, was supposed to be MongolZ’s fortress. Instead, it turned into a NAVI showcase. Starting on the defense, NAVI went on a complete rampage, conceding just a single round in the first half. The dominance was brutal and relentless. Though MongolZ managed to string together a few rounds after the switch, the gap was simply too wide. NAVI shut them down without flinching, sealing the map and series in style.

But perhaps the most exciting moment came from the team’s rising star, Makazze. On his first-ever appearance at the Cathedral, the young gun dropped jaws with 20 kills and a 1.64 impact rating, playing with the confidence of a seasoned veteran. His presence on the map was electric, and the crowd knew they were witnessing a new force arrive on the big stage.

As NAVI moves on to face Team Spirit in the semi-finals, the stakes have never been higher. Spirit is in top form, but after tonight’s demolition of MongolZ, NAVI looks like a team reborn. Every shot is sharper, every call more confident. This is a team that smells blood.

For MongolZ, the loss is heartbreaking, especially after making it to the Major finals last season. But despite the exit, they’ve shown their capability to go toe-to-toe with the best. Their journey in Cologne might be over, but their threat is far from forgotten.

All eyes are now on the next clash. NAVI vs Spirit. A semi-final that promises fireworks, blood-pumping plays, and possibly one of the greatest battles of the year in Counter-Strike.

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