By Lea Maas
Paper Rex and NRG have become the first teams to qualify for the VALORANT Champions 2025 Playoffs by winning after securing victories over GIANTX and DRX, respectively.
As a result of todayβs matches, GIANTX and DRX must win decider matches later on in the week to secure a Playoffs spot.
GIANTX Canβt Stop the Paper Rex Train
After a short break, VALORANT Champions returned with the winnersβ match for Group A.
In the first series of the day, VCT Pacific Stage 2 champion, Paper Rex (PRX), made a 2-1 comeback against EMEA Stage 2βs runner-up, GIANTX.
On its map pick, Ascent, GIANTX became the first team to make PRX sweat. Despite starting with an ace for Ilia βsomethingβ Petrov on Yoru and a 0-3 early lead, PRX looked lost at points on its defence side. The teamβs Sage/Vyse team composition didnβt play to its full strengths; however, the half still finished 7-5 in Paper Rexβs favour.
In the second half, GIANTXβs Eduard-George βaraβ Hanceriuc took the spotlight with his high-fragging Jett plays. As PRX struggled to find success on A, GIANTX moved its focus to locking down or retaking the B site. A second pistol round win for PRX wasnβt enough to deny GIANTXβs momentum, taking the map 13-10.
Lotus saw PRX make another strong start, this time, on the attack side. The team repeatedly broke through GIANTXβs defences thanks to overwhelming fast set plays and smart mid-round calls in slower rounds. Still, a few mistakes by PRX and impressive frags from MiΕosz βwestsideβ Duda helped GIANTX bounce back slightly (4-8).
At first, this momentum carried over into the second half as GIANTX won its first and only pistol round of the series. In the following buy rounds, however, the EMEA roster found itself frequently out-fragged. A couple of hero plays later, PRX evened out the match score with a 13-10 map victory.
The final showdown took place on one of PRXβs best maps, Sunset, where the Pacific giant likes to pick Sage. Interestingly, PRX seemed to rely little on Sageβs util and more on individual plays in the face-off versus GIANTX. Somethingβs Yoru was a pistol round demon, while Wang βJingggβ Jing Jie on Raze created crucial space for his team.
Although PRX lost five rounds in the first half, the team cleaned up its protocols for the defence side. PRX had great reads on GIANTXβs tendencies and set plays, forcing the opponent into desperate force buys. Winning only one round on the attack, GIANTX fell to the PRX train (6-13).
NRG Perservers Against DRX
The Group C winnersβ match between VCT Americas Stage 2 runner-up, NRG, and Pacificβs fourth seed, DRX, followed a surprisingly similar pattern. After DRX struck first in map one, it was NRG that ultimately won the series 2-1.
It was a rough first map for NRG, as the team lost both pistol and bonus rounds on Haven. Moreover, its opponent DRX looked thoroughly prepared on its swift yet methodical A takes, which saw NRG scraping only four rounds on defence.
In the second half, DRX became undefeatable. NRGβs Viper/Omen team composition is a popular pick within VCT Pacific, and DRX demonstrated just how well the team can proactively defend against it. NRG couldnβt win a single attack round and lost DRXβs map pick 4-13.
The second map of the series was much closer. Having studied NRGβs previous performances on Corrode, DRX looked well prepared for the attack. On the back of yet another pistol and bonus round conversion, the Korean team converted most of its A hits for an impressive 7-5 attack score.
Whilst NRG had already shown signs of life in the first half, which included an ace from Adam βmadaβ Pampuch, the North American squad was fully warmed up on its attack side. NRG secured its first pistol of the series and then persevered as both teams traded rounds back and forth. Capitalising on risky plays and micro mistakes from its opponent, NRG claimed Corrode (13-11).
On the final map, Lotus, DRX continued doing what it does best: explosive site hits initiated by Waylayβs dash and supported by layers of utility. This earned the team its fourth pistol and bonus round conversion. In addition, DRX used the Outlaw to punish NRGβs reliance on light armour buys.
However, just like on Corrode, the momentum turned in NRGβs favour during the second half. Following an underwhelming 4-8 defence side, the Americas team scored its own pistol and bonus rounds. The economic boost also allowed NRG to afford its beloved Odin early on. Meanwhile, DRX frequently mistimed key utility and ultimates during its retake attempts.
NRG completed its comeback versus DRX with a 13-11 score line on Lotus.
Champs Continues Tomorrow With Groups B and D
While PRX and NRG have now locked in a Playoffs slot at VALORANT Champions 2025, GIANTX and DRX must still compete in decider matches.
On September 21st, GIANTX will face the winner of the elimination match between XLG Esports and Sentinels. One day later, DRX must play against either Team Liquid or EDward Gaming.
In the meantime, Champions will host the second round of winnersβ matches tomorrow. The day will kick off at 2 PM BST with Group Dβs Team Heretics versus T1. Afterwards, Group Bβs MIBR and Fnatic fight for Playoffs qualification.
Fans can tune into all Group Stage games via VCTβs official YouTube and Twitch channels.