Vitality overcome slow start to beat Virtus.pro at IEM Chengdu 2025

Vitality overcome slow start to beat Virtus.pro at IEM Chengdu 2025

In the opening match of IEM Chengdu 2025, Team Vitality managed to edge out Virtus.pro 2-1 despite a shaky start. 

Map rundown & key moments

• On the first map, Virtus.pro imposed themselves, securing a 13-9 win over Vitality.

• The second map saw Vitality come under pressure: down as much as 5-10 at one point before rallying to win 13-11.

• The decider (Mirage) went firmly in Vitality’s favour, 13-4, as they found form and closed out the match.

What this means

Vitality’s recovery speaks to their resilience: after dropping the opener and trailing significantly on map two, they were able to reset and dominate the final map. The result gives them a strong start in the group stage. Virtus.pro, meanwhile, will rue the early deficit on map two and their inability to sustain momentum after the first map win.

Context & extra details

• The matchup was part of Group B at IEM Chengdu and was played as a best-of-three series.

• According to head-to-head data, Vitality have had the upper hand in recent times: of their last dozen or so meetings they have won around two-thirds of the time.