FURIA make IEM Chengdu final after third consecutive win over Falcons

FURIA make IEM Chengdu final after third consecutive win over Falcons

FURIA have booked their place in the grand final of IEM Chengdu 2025 after defeating Falcons in a best-of-three semi-final with a 2-0 series win (Inferno 13-5, Mirage 13-11). This victory marks the third straight time the Brazilian side have defeated Falcons in succession. 

Under the guidance of captain FalleN, FURIA will now face the winner of the other semi-final between Team Vitality and MOUZ in the best-of-five grand final. 

Domination on Inferno sets tone

The first map proved decisive. On Inferno, FURIA came out firing, securing a commanding 13-5 win. The Brazilians held Falcons to just five rounds and demonstrated dominance both on CT and T sides. According to statistics, FURIA’s economy and utility usage were far superior, and Falcons rarely threatened. 

Importantly, FURIA have historically gained confidence executing Inferno under pressure, and this map followed the script: strong opening CT half, star-level clutch decisions, and minimal exploitation by Falcons. The result cast a shadow over the remainder of the series for the Europeans.

Mirage battles but FURIA hold firm

On Mirage, Falcons mounted a stronger challenge. The Brazilian side had to withstand pressure as the Europeans closed the gap late in the map — at one point trailing but mounting a comeback to force close rounds. Ultimately FURIA held on 13-11, showcasing both composure and tactical versatility under heightened stakes. 

The tighter scoreline on Mirage signals that while FURIA were dominant, Falcons pushed and made adjustments — but the Brazilians were ready with a game plan and execution to match. FURIA’s ability to close out the series with one of their “weaker” maps (by margin) is telling of their maturity.

The historic “three-peat” over Falcons

This win marks the third consecutive time FURIA have defeated Falcons in a competitive series. Previous wins included IEM Cologne and FISSURE Playground 2, giving FURIA a psychological edge heading into Chengdu. 

In big-event terms, repeatedly beating the same opponent creates belief, lays groundwork for dominance, and forces the opposition to question their approach. For Falcons, it means the hurdle of FURIA at this level remains unsolved.

What this means for FURIA

• Championship mindset: Reaching a final in four events with three against the same opponent underscores FURIA’s consistency and ability to perform under pressure.

• Knock-out resilience: The ability to dominate map one and close map two underlines their capacity to adapt mid-series and manage momentum swings.

• Strategic depth: Their performance on Mirage showed they aren’t one‐dimensional; a strong first map followed by a tighter but winning second indicates tactical depth and resilience.

• Title opportunity: With the final ahead, this is an ideal moment for FURIA to claim another major trophy and reinforce their place among the elite.

Implications for Falcons

• Rivalry under strain: Facing an opponent who has beaten them thrice in a row at big events places Falcons in a difficult position. The pattern forces introspection and strategic overhaul.

• Opportunity for bounce-back: While eliminated from the final, the third-place decider still offers a chance to salvage the event and restore momentum ahead of future tournaments.

• Adjustments needed: They need to review why their mid-series adjustments fell short vs FURIA and work on closing out tighter maps and dealing with Inferno deficits.

The grand stage awaits

With FURIA confirmed as finalists, the stage at IEM Chengdu is set for a heavyweight grand final: FURIA vs the winner of Vitality vs MOUZ. The path to the trophy will depend on map control, star player form, and mental stiffness in a high-stakes best-of-five. The outcome of this match will echo across the CS2 scene, and FURIA are ideally positioned.

Final thoughts

FURIA’s performance at IEM Chengdu is a statement of intent. From a dominant first map to a composed close in a tight second, the team showed the full spectrum of what a champion roster looks like. Their third straight victory over Falcons isn’t just a stat — it’s proof of their edge in the rivalry. As the grand final looms, whether they lift the trophy or not, this run reinforces that FURIA are at the top of their game.