Reigning VALORANT Champion EDward Gaming was defeated in its opening match at VALORANT Champions 2025 by Group C’s darkish horse NRG.
Within the second sequence of the day, one of many occasion favourites, Crew Liquid, suffered an sudden upset by the hands of the group’s fourth seed, DRX.
NRG Defeats Reigning Champion EDward Gaming
Within the first sequence of the day, reigning VALORANT Champion and VCT China’s third seed EDward Gaming (EDG) delivered an inconsistent efficiency versus VCT Americas Stage 2 runner-up NRG.
Though NRG’s rookies had been making their worldwide debut on one in every of EDG’s traditionally robust maps, Abyss, the gamers resiliently secured the sequence 2-0.
Each groups had been extra snug on Abyss’ assault facet, permitting EDG to attain a dominant 10-2 half. The Chinese language roster additionally showcased how the latest Sage buff helps to get extra worth out of the agent. Nevertheless, after a devastating defence and shaky gun duels, NRG efficiently deployed set assault methods and ultimates to snowball its method into additional time.
The Americas group persevered by way of a number of back-and-forth rounds to conclude additional time with a daring push previous the A backsite. Regardless of shedding each pistols, NRG stole EDG’s map choose 17-15.
On Corrode, NRG’s Waylay comp had an uncannily weak defence half (6-6) because it struggled to achieve momentum after shedding the primary pistol spherical. Furthermore, EDG’s various assault approaches well navigated across the enemy Odin and Operator to transform explosive web site executes.
Like within the earlier map, NRG as soon as once more got here to life on the assault. The North American squad received its first pistol of the sequence, adopted by profitable web site pops and hero performs to succeed in match level. Whereas EDG tried to deliver it to additional time, its members had been caught remoted too many occasions, and finally misplaced Corrode 11-13.
DRX Secures Upset In opposition to Crew Liquid
The second sequence noticed two of the traditionally finest Abyss groups take the stage. Regardless of being favoured within the match-up, VCT EMEA Stage 2 champion Crew Liquid went 0-2 in opposition to a well-prepared Pacific third seed in DRX.
Right now’s Abyss saga continued with a formidable show from DRX on its new Yoru/Waylay double-duelist group composition. Utilizing DRX’s outdated double-initiator comp, Crew Liquid had a gradual begin on the defence, however then evened out the rating 6-6 by working it down for a number of rounds.
Throughout DRX’s defence half, Kim ‘MaKo’ Myeong-kwan introduced again a as soon as generally used one-way on-site Omen smoke to lock down B. On the again of two pistol spherical wins, DRX grew to become the primary group to defeat Liquid on Abyss (13-8).
Liquid’s map choose, Bind, started scrappy as each traded rounds by way of quite a few thrifties and chaotic teamfights. Whereas Crew Liquid often succeeded with aggressive performs on its defence, its double-initiator group composition additionally struggled in opposition to DRX’s Yoru/Waylay combo. Waylay’s skill to push enemies off their websites immediately counters Liquid’s recreation plan of combating on mentioned websites.
Following an excellent half, Liquid secured its first pistol of the sequence. The EMEA group efficiently executed inventive assault methods till it discovered itself disrupted by Cho ‘Flashback’ Min-hyuk on the Operator. By defusing the spike proper beneath Crew Liquid’s nostril two consecutive occasions, DRX reached match level and claimed Bind one spherical later (13-10).
Group D Debuts Tomorrow
Following the primary spherical of Group C matches, right this moment’s winners, NRG and DRX, will face off on September 18th. Two days later, EDG and Liquid should combat for survival within the group’s decrease bracket.
Nevertheless, VALORANT Champions will already proceed tomorrow with the debut of all 4 Group D groups. The day will kick off with a best-of-three (BO3) sequence between VCT China Stage 2 runner-up, Dragon Ranger Gaming (DRG), and Masters Bangkok champion T1.
Followers can tune into all VALORANT Champions matches through VCT’s official YouTube and Twitch channels.
