The upcoming clash between The MongolZ and FURIA at PGL Major Astana 2025 promises to be an exciting matchup. It’s a battle between Asian stability and Brazilian explosive power. Both teams have already made a name for themselves at previous tournaments and are now ready to face off in their opening match at the Major, with a spot in the next stage on the line. This encounter will reveal whether the disciplined Mongolian squad can withstand the relentless pressure of Latin American aggression.
Road to the Match
The MongolZ
The Mongolian squad has once again proven themselves as the leaders of Asian CS and are far from being just another “dark horse.” At the recent IEM Melbourne 2025, they made a deep run by defeating Complexity, FaZe, and Liquid, before falling to Vitality in the semifinals. Although it was a heavy loss, The MongolZ learned valuable lessons and are now determined to showcase their full strength at this Major. Their captain bLitz and star player 910 serve as the tactical and emotional backbone of the team.
FURIA
After a string of underwhelming tournaments, FURIA finally seem revitalized. The additions of YEKINDAR and molodoy have significantly reshaped their playing style. In their previous lineup, FURIA had already faced The MongolZ at PGL Bucharest 2025, losing 0:2. However, things might turn out differently this time. The new roster looks hungry for success, and KSCERATO has stepped up as a true leader, ready to carry the team forward.
Team Form & Playstyle
The MongolZ
They play a structured brand of Counter-Strike, with a strong focus on map control and in-round adaptability. Their biggest strengths are smart retakes and fragging from key roles without taking unnecessary risks. Senzu brings mid-round aggression, while mzinho balances entry duties and support. Their rounds often resemble step-by-step executions of well-prepared plans.
FURIA
They embody the classic Brazilian CS: aggression, tempo, and calculated chaos. But now, that chaos is backed by structure. YEKINDAR has brought discipline to the opening duels, perfectly complementing yuurih’s spontaneous play. This tournament is also a chance for molodoy to prove he’s more than media hype—showing that he can find impact even against the world’s strongest teams.
Map Pool & Potential Battlegrounds
The MongolZ have a well-defined map pool, with Mirage, Ancient, and Inferno standing out. Mirage is clearly their strongest pick, with a high win rate, smart mid-control plays, impactful AWP presence, and sharp utility usage. In contrast, Nuke and Anubis have been shaky, showing the lowest performance stats over the past three months.
FURIA, on the other hand, are traditionally strong on Ancient and Vertigo, but have recently shown the most consistency on Dust2 and Mirage — maps where they blend aggression with structure and strong retakes. Anubis and Nuke remain their weaker links and often expose their vulnerabilities.
Key to victory: controlling the pace on your map pick and converting early-round advantages reliably. If The MongolZ can secure Mirage without economic collapse, they’ll have a great chance to dictate the flow of the series.
Key Duels to Watch
- bLitz vs KSCERATO: The brains behind each team. If KSCERATO finds his rhythm, FURIA could dominate. But bLitz has the game sense to read and dismantle any plan.
- Techno vs YEKINDAR: A clash of styles — one plays technically, the other aggressively. This duel will show who imposes their identity on the match.
- Senzu vs molodoy: Both players are creative and unpredictable. Their frags often come in crucial swing moments.
Motivation & Emotional Readiness
The MongolZ have already proven they’re not afraid of the big stage. Calm and composed, they don’t buckle under pressure, even in the most intense rounds. Having already faced titans like Vitality and Falcons, they know what it takes to improve with every game.
FURIA, in contrast, look emotionally charged. This is their chance to break back into the top 10 and prove that their roster changes are paying off. They need this win to keep momentum going into playoffs and show the world that this lineup is built to win.
Match Prediction
The analytical edge lies with The MongolZ. They are more consistent, tactically disciplined, and have already shown they can challenge elite-level teams. However, FURIA have the tools to break the script — if they start strong and KSCERATO and YEKINDAR hit peak form, the series could go their way.
Predicted Score: 2:1 for The MongolZ
Still, if FURIA win their map and gain early momentum, this match could easily swing in their favor.
