The 2025 League of Legends World Championship`s Swiss Stage has proven to be a crucible of unexpected triumphs and stunning defeats, particularly during its electrifying second round. What began with predictions of clear dominance has quickly devolved into a narrative of underdogs rising and established titans faltering, setting a dramatically unpredictable tone for the remainder of the tournament.
The Unthinkable: T1 and Gen.G Stunned
In a turn of events that sent ripples across the global esports community, two of the most formidable teams, T1 and Gen.G, found themselves on the wrong side of history. Defending champions T1, a name synonymous with League of Legends greatness, were handed a decisive defeat by the LCP`s CTBC Flying Oyster (CFO). This wasn`t merely a win; it was a statement, propelling CFO to a remarkable 2-0 record and within touching distance of the Knockout Stage.
CFO`s audacity was evident from the draft phase, where bot laner Chiu `Doggo` Tzu-chuan locked in Draven—a pick both high-risk and high-reward. The gamble paid off spectacularly, as Doggo delivered a flawless 6/0/12 KDA, showcasing aggressive lane control and crucial teamfight contributions, including a solo first blood. Combined with Yu `JunJia` Chun-chia`s impactful Qiyana plays and Tsai `HongQ` Ming-Hong`s perfectly timed Ryze ultimates, CFO orchestrated a dominant 25-11 victory in just 32 minutes, leaving many to question the established hierarchy.
Not to be outdone, China`s Anyone’s Legend delivered an equally seismic shock by overcoming MSI 2025 champions Gen.G. Widely considered tournament favorites, Gen.G faced an uphill battle against an AL squad that refused to yield. The match was a tense, back-and-forth affair, characterized by crucial objective trades and clutch individual plays. After Gen.G briefly seized momentum with Park `Ruler` Jae-hyuk`s triple kill on Kai`Sa, it was Lee `Tarzan` Seung-yong`s audacious dragon steal that swung the pendulum back in AL`s favor, paving the way for a Cloud Dragon Soul and ultimately, a triumphant Elder Dragon team fight. In front of a roaring home crowd, Anyone’s Legend secured their 2-0 record, firmly asserting the LPL`s formidable presence.
Regional Showdowns and Emerging Narratives
Beyond the headline-grabbing upsets, Round 2 also featured intense regional clashes that provided a clearer picture of team strengths and weaknesses.
G2 Esports and FlyQuest Reassert Dominance
Europe`s G2 Esports, reeling from a Round 1 loss, found redemption in a rematch of the LEC Summer Split finals against MKOI. Despite MKOI`s early game leads, securing void grubs and initial kills, G2`s superior teamfighting and powerful composition—featuring Yunara, Bard, and LeBlanc—allowed them to decisively seize control. A commanding 20-7 scoreline and a 10,000 gold lead in 28 minutes showcased G2`s capability to adapt and dominate when the stakes are highest.
Similarly, North America`s FlyQuest bounced back from their own T1 defeat by crushing Vivo Keyd Stars in an LTA 2025 finals rematch. Inspired performances from mid laner Song `Quad` Su-hyeong on Viktor (9/0/9 KDA) and jungler Kacper `Inspired` Słoma`s Wukong (10/2/12) led to an emphatic 26-5 victory and a staggering 16,000 gold lead, proving FlyQuest`s resilience and potential.
LPL`s Momentum and LCK`s Mixed Fortunes
The LPL region continued its strong showing with Bilibili Gaming (BLG) dismantling Europe`s third seed, Fnatic, in a one-sided 28-minute affair. BLG`s decisive 16-6 victory and 10,000 gold lead, with Zhao `Shad0w` Zhiqiang stepping in as Jungler, underscore the region`s depth and aggressive playstyle. Not far behind, Top Esports delivered a crushing blow to 100 Thieves, with Lin `Creme` Jian`s Ryze achieving a near-perfect 9/0/11 KDA, positioning TES as a strong contender for the Summoner`s Cup.
For the LCK, the day presented a mixed bag. While KT Rolster managed to overcome early game weaknesses to defeat Team Secret Whales, and Hanwha Life Esports (HLE) quelled a fast-paced early game from PSG Talon thanks to Kim `Zeka` Geon-wooon`s quadra kill, the losses of T1 and Gen.G serve as a stark reminder that even the most dominant regions are susceptible to the volatile nature of the Swiss Stage.
The Unyielding Reality of Best-of-1
The beauty and brutality of the Best-of-1 format have been on full display. In a tournament where a single misstep can cost a game, and ultimately, momentum, the upsets serve as a powerful testament to the skill and preparation of every team present. No victory is guaranteed, and no defeat is necessarily final until the last Nexus falls.
The Stakes Rise: Make or Break in Round Three
As the dust settles on Round 2, the stage is now set for a pivotal Round 3. This phase will mark a critical juncture where the first teams will either secure their spot in the Knockout Stage or face early elimination from Worlds 2025. To reflect the heightened stakes, matches will transition from Best-of-1 to Best-of-3, demanding greater strategic depth and adaptability from competing teams.
All matches will be streamed live on League of Legends` official esports Twitch and YouTube channels, along with accepted co-streamers, kicking off on October 17th at 9 AM BST. The path forward is clear: adapt or perish.
Key Matchups to Watch in Round Three:
2-0 Matches (Seeking Knockout Qualification):
- CTBC Flying Oyster vs. Anyone’s Legend: A battle of the unexpected 2-0 teams.
- KT Rolster vs. Top Esports: An LCK-LPL showdown with high stakes.
1-1 Matches (Fighting for Advantage):
- G2 Esports vs. Bilibili Gaming: Europe`s hope against LPL power.
- Gen.G vs. T1: A clash of titans, both looking to recover from upsets.
- Team Secret Whales vs. FlyQuest: North America`s resurgence against a determined challenger.
- 100 Thieves vs. Hanwha Life Esports: Another LCK vs. LCS bout.
0-2 Matches (Facing Elimination):
- Vivo Keyd Stars vs. PSG Talon: A fight for survival.
- MKOI vs. Fnatic: Two storied organizations battling to stay in the tournament.
Worlds 2025 has already delivered a masterclass in unpredictability. As we move into the Best-of-3 format, the narratives of redemption, sustained dominance, and the sheer will to survive will undoubtedly make Round 3 an unmissable spectacle. The Summoner`s Cup feels further away than ever for some, and tantalizingly close for others.
