EDward Gaming and Team Liquid start winless at VALORANT Champions 2025

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 collection of the day, one of many occasion favourites, Group Liquid, suffered an surprising upset by the hands of the group’s fourth seed, DRX.

Within the first collection 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 sturdy maps, Abyss, the gamers resiliently secured the collection 2-0.

Each groups had been extra snug on Abyss’ assault aspect, permitting EDG to realize a dominant 10-2 half. The Chinese language roster additionally showcased how the current Sage buff helps to get extra worth out of the agent. Nonetheless, 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 a number of back-and-forth rounds to conclude additional time with a daring push previous the A backsite. Regardless of dropping 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 dropping the primary pistol spherical. Furthermore, EDG’s numerous 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 collection, adopted by profitable web site pops and hero performs to achieve match level. Whereas EDG tried to convey it to additional time, its members had been caught remoted too many occasions, and in the end misplaced Corrode 11-13.

The second collection noticed two of the traditionally finest Abyss groups take the stage. Regardless of being favoured within the match-up, VCT EMEA Stage 2 champion Group Liquid went 0-2 towards a well-prepared Pacific third seed in DRX.

Right this moment’s Abyss saga continued with a powerful show from DRX on its new Yoru/Waylay double-duelist group composition. Utilizing DRX’s previous double-initiator comp, Group Liquid had a gradual begin on the defence, however then evened out the rating 6-6 by operating 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 turned the primary group to defeat Liquid on Abyss (13-8).

Liquid’s map choose, Bind, started scrappy as each traded rounds by quite a few thrifties and chaotic teamfights. Whereas Group Liquid often succeeded with aggressive performs on its defence, its double-initiator group composition additionally struggled towards DRX’s Yoru/Waylay combo. Waylay’s potential to push enemies off their websites immediately counters Liquid’s sport plan of preventing on stated websites.

Following a fair half, Liquid secured its first pistol of the collection. The EMEA group efficiently executed artistic assault methods till it discovered itself disrupted by Cho ‘Flashback’ Min-hyuk on the Operator. By defusing the spike proper below Group Liquid’s nostril two consecutive occasions, DRX reached match level and claimed Bind one spherical later (13-10).

Following the primary spherical of Group C matches, at present’s winners, NRG and DRX, will face off on September 18th. Two days later, EDG and Liquid should battle for survival within the group’s decrease bracket.

Nonetheless, 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) collection between VCT China Stage 2 runner-up, Dragon Ranger Gaming (DRG), and Masters Bangkok champion T1. 

Afterwards, VCT Americas Stage 2 winner, G2 Esports, and EMEA’s fourth seed, Group Heretics, will take the stage.

Followers can tune into all VALORANT Champions matches by way of VCT’s official YouTube and Twitch channels.