The Stage 3 of the first-ever CS2 Major delivered everything fans could ask for — drama, comebacks, upsets, and a definitive answer to the question: who rules the new era? Vitality again in playoffs, but without winstreak. Brazilian resurgence, MOUZ’s miracle run, s1mple’s comeback, and Legacy’s fairytale storyline made Blast.tv Austin Major 2025 Stage 3 an unforgettable chapter in Counter-Strike history.
Top of the Game
These teams proved their status as title contenders and delivered the strongest performances of the stage.
FaZe made a bold gamble by bringing in s1mple — and it paid off. He’s playing at an elite level, already ranked among the top 5 players of Stage 3 with a 1.35 average rating across five maps. His best performance came in the dominant 19–7 win over TheMongolZ, where he posted a 1.84 rating, while his lowest was a 1.10 in match against Aurora. S1mple’s consistency and impact have been crucial for FaZe’s success. With him in peak form and a favorable bracket ahead, FaZe look like finalists in the making.
Vitality are still the favorites despite an opening loss to Legacy. That early wake-up call seemed to refocus them, and they’ve looked more confident ever since. With their depth and experience, they remain the team to beat.
Spirit breezed through the group stage and currently sit as the second most favored team behind Vitality. Their path starts with a tough challenge against MOUZ, but Spirit have been solid and consistent from the start.
Playoff Breakthroughs
These teams impressed with their resilience and earned well-deserved spots in the playoffs.
FURIA surprised everyone with a dominant 3–0 run in Stage 3, becoming the first Brazilian team to make playoffs since 2017. Their aggressive style and momentum made them one of the dark horses heading into the top 8.
The MongolZ didn’t have their best tournament but accomplished their minimum goal: reaching playoffs. With FaZe as their next opponent, they face a massive challenge — especially given FaZe’s experience and form on stage.
MOUZ had a terrible start to Stage 3, going 0-2 and looking on the verge of an early exit. But they turned it around, defeating Liquid, Aurora, and Legacy to secure a playoff spot. Momentum is on their side, but the real test begins now.
NAVI benefited from a manageable bracket in groups to secure playoffs, but now face the ultimate test: Vitality. If Major magic exists, now’s the time — because anything short of a miracle may not be enough.
paiN completed one of the most dramatic comebacks in Major history, clawing their way from a 0–2 start to reach playoffs. Alongside FURIA, they mark a resurgence for Brazilian CS — although unfortunately, they’ll face each other in the quarterfinals.
Close, but Not Enough
These teams showed promise, but ultimately fell short of the playoffs — some narrowly, others more clearly.
Legacy were the biggest surprise of the event. Initially not even supposed to attend, they stepped in due to BESTIA’s visa issues and went on a magical run — 3–0 in Stage 2, ended Vitality’s streak, and came one round away from playoffs. But they let a 9–3 lead slip against MOUZ, ending their dream run just shy of the top 8.
G2 came in with low expectations and a last-ride roster. Despite this, they pushed paiN and NAVI hard, showing flashes of quality. But a collapse against The MongolZ sealed their fate, and they exited earlier than they would’ve liked.
Virtus.pro started strong, going 2–0 and looking like one of the sharpest teams in the tournament. But after that, three straight losses knocked them out. One of their best performances in terms of level — but not enough in the end.
Respectable Efforts
These teams didn’t advance, but showed spirit and potential on the international stage.
Lynn Vision became one of the most memorable stories of the tournament. Their unexpected journey to Stage 3 brought energy and emotion, but their run ended as they struggled to compete at the highest level.
Aurora had been consistent throughout the year, making playoffs at every other event — except the Major. Falling short here, despite their track record, was a big letdown. Claims of poor form didn’t justify the outcome.
Major Disappointments
These teams exited early, and for various reasons, failed to meet expectations.
Liquid had the worst showing of all. A shocking 0–3 exit raised major concerns about internal issues and mental fatigue. Changes seem inevitable.
Nemiga were doomed by the bracket, opening against NAVI and Vitality — arguably the toughest draw possible. They fought hard but never really had a chance to survive.
3DMAX made it all the way to Stage 3, which is a milestone for the team. But once there, they were clearly outclassed and bowed out quietly.
It’s Playoffs Time — Make Your Calls in the Skin.Club Pick’em!
The bracket is set, the stakes are sky-high — now it’s your turn to predict who lifts the trophy. With the Skin.Club Playoffs Pick’em Challenge, you can lock in your playoff bracket, pick your champion, call your MVP, and earn real CS2 skins for getting it right.
Think Vitality will go all the way? Putting your chips on s1mple’s comeback run? Maybe you believe MOUZ’s miracle isn’t over yet. Whatever your prediction — now’s the time to prove it.
Build the perfect bracket, follow every clutch moment, and rise through the leaderboard. The more accurate your picks, the better the rewards — from budget-friendly skins to legendary drops. Nail it all? You could walk away with the crown jewel: AWP | Dragon Lore.
Final Thoughts
From shocking upsets to dominant runs, Stage 3 of the BLAST.tv Austin Major 2025 gave us a true taste of what CS2 esports can become. The greats delivered, the underdogs inspired, and the new meta began to take shape.
Vitality’s continued reign, s1mple’s resurgence, MOUZ’s grit, and Legacy’s miracle run each told a different story — but all pointed to the same conclusion: this is no longer just a transitional phase for Counter-Strike. It’s a bold new chapter.
As we look ahead to the next era-defining events, one thing’s for sure — CS2 isn’t building hype. It’s living up to it.
