Vitality Strike Back in mouz Rivalry to Secure IEM Chengdu Grand Final Spot

Vitality Strike Back in mouz Rivalry to Secure IEM Chengdu Grand Final Spot

In a clash billed as one of the standout rivalries of 2025, Team Vitality responded emphatically by overturning a steep deficit and defeating mouz to reach the grand final of IEM Chengdu. 

The French-led Vitality squad, featuring Mathieu “ZywOo” Herbaut and Robin “ropz” Kool, became the first team to lock in a spot in the title match at the Chinese event. Their reward: a championship Sunday showdown awaiting the winner of the other semi-final between Falcons and FURIA. 

Revenge in motion

Vitality’s journey to the final wasn’t smooth, especially against a mouz side that had them on the back foot. The two organisations had already engaged in 10 matchups in 2025 — and while Vitality dominated the first half of the year, mouz had grown into a tougher opponent in the later months, including a victory over Vitality at IEM Cologne. 
Following a group-stage loss to mouz at Chengdu, Vitality explicitly aimed to “get revenge”. Vitality’s IGL, Shahar “flameZ” Shushan, stated:

“We worked a lot to beat them, to get revenge for the group stage… now this means that their win in the group stage is quite nothing.” 

A Nuke comeback for the ages

The most dramatic phase came on Nuke, the first map of the series: mouz surged ahead 12-4 on the T-side—their eight opportunities to close the map looked decisive. Instead, Vitality mounted an extraordinary comeback. ZywOo, waking up late, logged 30 kills and delivered two quad-kills in regulation and overtime. The team locked in an 11-round winning streak to steal the opener 16-13. 

That comeback not only swung momentum but also showcased Vitality’s ability to remain composed when trailing badly—a crucial attribute in high-stakes CS2. Instead of mouz consolidating their lead, Vitality simply took it and rolled.

mouz fight back, but …

mouz responded on Train, halving the deficit at 4-8 in the first half and then executing a dominant CT side to win 13-11. Their resilience looked to put Vitality on the back foot, but the decider on Inferno would prove the decisive battleground. 

Inferno decider delivers panic and precision

Inferno was a back-and-forth war; experience and familiarity between the sides were evident in both team strategies and individual plays. A defining moment came via Dorian “xertioN” Berman’s banana play, leading to a four-round surge and putting Vitality’s economy in crisis. 
Yet apEX and ZywOo—two core veterans—delivered under fire. apEX called a perfect bait-and-switch setup in round 20, followed swiftly by ZywOo’s collateral. Their composure under pressure sealed the decider and sent Vitality forward.

What this result means

• Rivalry reaffirmed: This win solidifies the Vitality–mouz matchup as a key rivalry of the CS2 season. While Vitality retained the upper hand, mouz showed notable improvement and competitiveness.

• Mental difference: The comeback from 4-12 down on Nuke speaks volumes about Vitality’s mental resilience and experience—both invaluable traits at major events.

• Big event momentum: Reaching the grand final puts Vitality in pole position to claim another title. With their stars performing and momentum on their side, they’ll enter the final as heavy favourites.

• mouz still learning: Despite the loss, mouz’s ability to push Vitality and recover on Train and Inferno indicates they are closing the gap. For future major events, they’ll be a dangerous contender.

• Broader implications: This result puts pressure on the upcoming final opponent, whether Falcons or FURIA. Vitality have shown they can topple a top-tier foe—they’re a dangerous match-up.

Looking ahead

With the grand final date set, Vitality have a chance to assert dominance in Asia this season. Their opponent will arrive battle-hardened from a semi-final featuring Falcons vs FURIA, outputting a winner ready for the title stage.

Final thoughts

Team Vitality’s path to the IEM Chengdu final wasn’t just a feat of skill—it was a demonstration of maturity and hunger. Coming back from a tough start, enacting revenge, and doing so under the weight of rivalry spells a team in championship mode.
For mouz, this result stings—but also signals they’re closing in. The rivalry continues, but for now, Vitality take the honours and the momentum.