1:Team Heretics Shock Fnatic with Historic VALORANT Comeback
The stc Esports Arena erupted in disbelief as Team Heretics pulled off a reverse sweep against Fnatic in the VALORANT Grand Final. Fnatic’s Jake “Boaster” Howlett had been taunting after taking a 2-0 series lead, and with Icebox almost in the bag, many thought the trophy was theirs. But Heretics stormed back, winning three straight maps in one of the greatest comebacks competitive VALORANT has ever seen. For Ričardas “Boo” Lukaševičius and his teammates, it was a career-defining moment, finally lifting a major trophy after falling short in five previous finals.
2:Heretics Collapse Against OpTic Gaming in Call of Duty
Ironically, the same Heretics squad who became legends in VALORANT also made headlines for the wrong reasons in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6. Facing OpTic Gaming, they were up 2-0 and looked ready to close out the series. Then came the Shotzzy show. Anthony “Shotzzy” Cuevas-Castro spearheaded an incredible comeback, with Brandon “Dashy” Otell mocking Heretics’ choke with a self-throat grab celebration after OpTic sealed the reverse sweep. What started as triumph in one game ended as humiliation in another.
3:Returning Champions Stumble Across Multiple Titles
Defending champions crumbled across multiple stages. Team Falcons, last year’s Rainbow Six Siege champions, fell early with defeats to Team Secret and Spacestation Gaming. In Dota 2, fan-favorite Clément “Clem” Desplanche bowed out shockingly in the quarterfinals. Even in FC Pro World Championship, reigning champion Anders Vejrgang went from obliterating his first-round opponent to being eliminated by Aymane “Fakhr999” Ouardi in a stunning rematch upset.
4:ManuBachoore’s Miracle Run in EA Sports FC Pro World Championship
One of the biggest Cinderella stories came in football esports, where Manuel “ManuBachoore” Bachoore fought his way from the play-ins to become world champion. Known as talented but inconsistent, few predicted he could endure the gauntlet of Europe and South America’s best. But victory after victory carried him to the final stage, where he stunned the world by lifting the championship trophy. It was one of the greatest underdog runs the Esports World Cup has ever seen.
5:T1 and Faker Denied Revenge Against Gen.G
Perhaps the most heartbreaking surprise was T1’s failure to reach a rematch with Gen.G in League of Legends. After their Midseason Invitational loss in Vancouver, fans worldwide were eager for Faker’s revenge in Riyadh. But T1’s campaign ended at the hands of AG.AL, preventing the dream showdown with Chovy and Gen.G, who went on to win the title. For Faker and his fans, it was a bitter reminder that even legends can fall short on the world’s biggest stage.
A Tournament to Remember
The Esports World Cup 2025 will go down as one of the most unpredictable editions ever. From Team Heretics’ legendary comeback to VK Gaming’s surprise crown, the event proved that no team, no matter how dominant, is safe from an upset. Fans left Riyadh with unforgettable memories of grit, collapse, and glory, setting the bar higher than ever for future editions.
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