FNATIC shut down DRX, secure their spot in the Champions grand final

Last night, FNATIC faced off against DRX in the lower bracket finals of VALORANT Champions 2025. The team that secured the win would secure its spot in the tournament’s grand finals. In an incredible show of resilience and dominance, FNATIC defeated DRX 3-1. These are the major highlights from the game are and who looks to be the favourites for the championship.

FNATIC crush DRX, set up the rematch with NRG

During VALORANT Champions 2025, DRX and Fnatic faced off against each other in the playoffs phase. During that match, Fnatic secured a 2-1 win. Going into the lower bracket finals, the team from VCT EMEA was still the favorite, whilst DRX the clear underdog.

The highest position they had finished during a VALORANT Champions tournament was third back in 2022. Since then, the team hasn’t been able to reach the same heights. The 2025 DRX roster consists of four rookie players and one veteran IGL, MaKo. Before the FNATIC-DRX game, DRX had defeated Paper Rex in a dominant fashion.

FNATIC vs DRX highlights

• Map 1 of the match ended with quite a shock to some fans as DRX secured the win 13-8. Fnatic attempted to initiate a comeback, but it wasn’t enough against free1ng and HYUNMIN.
• Going into game two, all eyes were on Fnatic and how they would bounce back and that they did. Fnatic won 11 out of the 12 rounds on attack. They went on to win the match with a score of 13-3. Following this, on the Haven map, we saw a close game between the two teams. Fnatic secured the win with a scoreline of 13-11 after an incredible performance by Kaajak.
• After losing the third map, the morale of the players from DRX was clearly diminished. The pressure of the big stage got to them, as evidenced by map four, which was a one-sided affair. Fnatic won 10 rounds on attack and secured the series with a 3-1 scoreline.

What’s at stake in the grand final?

Going into the grand final one player from NRG, the first team to qualify, has the opportunity to be the first player to win two VALORANT Champions trophies. That player is none other than Ethan.

Back in 2023, he won the trophy while part of Evil Geniuses. Within the team of FNATIC Crashies and Chronicle, both have reached the VALORANT Champions Grand Final but finished in second place. This time, FNATIC has an opportunity to write history. If they go on to win this event, they become the first team to win both a VALORANT Masters Tournament and VALORANT Champions

If they do win, then Boaster, Chronicle, and Alfajer join the likes of Sacy to become the only players in VALORANT history to win both a VALORANT Champions and Masters trophy. In my opinion, the team that should win this match is Fnatic. There is only one condition for this game to be a 5-match series, and that is for Fnatic to lose game one. Bookmakers like GG.Bet have the priced the NRG-FNATIC odds in the former’s favor. Other bookmakers like Bet365 are giving equal odds of 1.83 to each, meaning we’re in for a cliffhanger of a match!

Featured image credit: Riot Games / Valorant Esports