Both teams kicked off their respective years with statement victories — IEM Katowice for Vitality and iBUYPOWER Masters IV for Team Liquid. In the following months, both squads took the CS scene by storm, each lifting five major trophies. Liquid claimed the Intel Grand Slam in 2019, while Vitality have recently set an astonishing record of 30 consecutive LAN wins. But the real question is — could the French side face the same downfall as Liquid did six years ago?
Liquid’s Dominance in 2019
In 2019, North American powerhouse Team Liquid reigned supreme on the global CS scene. Their roster at the time featured:
- nitr0
- EliGE
- Twistzz
- NAF
- Stewie2K
Throughout the year, they secured victories at some of the biggest events:
- iBUYPOWER Masters IV
- Intel Extreme Masters XIV – Sydney
- DreamHack Masters Dallas 2019
- ESL Pro League Season 9 – Finals
- ESL One: Cologne 2019
- BLAST Pro Series: Los Angeles 2019
- Intel Extreme Masters XIV – Chicago
Their run culminated in winning the Intel Grand Slam Season 2, earning a $1,000,000 bonus for securing four premier event wins within a single season. Liquid seemed untouchable — until it all came crashing down at the StarLadder Berlin Major 2019, where they were eliminated in the quarterfinals by Astralis.
Additional issues soon surfaced: a player falling ill during bootcamp, internal role clashes, and a visible drop in confidence. After that Major, Liquid never quite returned to their peak.
Vitality in 2025: A Record-Breaking Run
In 2025, French giants Vitality ushered in a new era of dominance. A crucial turning point was the signing of ropz from FaZe, whose arrival perfectly complemented the roster and added a new layer of strength.
Starting with a win at IEM Katowice 2025, Vitality continued to steamroll the competition with victories at:
- ESL Pro League Season 21
- BLAST Open Spring 2025
- Intel Extreme Masters Melbourne 2025
- BLAST Rivals Spring 2025
- Intel Extreme Masters Dallas 2025
Currently riding a 30-match LAN win streak, Vitality appear nearly unstoppable. However, the players have remained humble, repeatedly stating in interviews that they’re not obsessed with records — and are fully aware that every streak must eventually end.
Austin Major: The Ultimate Test?
Up next is the BLAST.tv Austin Major 2025 — the most important event of the year, bringing together 32 of the world’s best teams. It’s the kind of tournament that tests even the most dominant rosters.
Could history repeat itself? Could Vitality face the same fate as Liquid did in 2019? Absolutely. Majors come with different pressure, a unique atmosphere, and higher stakes. Teams you least expect can emerge as dark horses and punish any slip in focus.
Back in 2019, Liquid had everything — form, depth, and drive. Yet even they crumbled when it mattered most. Now, it’s Vitality’s turn to prove that exceptions exist — that it’s possible to ride a hot streak into the biggest tournament of the year and come out as legends.
Austin Awaits
Vitality are currently the strongest team in the world. But their biggest challenge still lies ahead. The Austin Major will determine whether they are true legendary champions — or just another dominant story with a short-lived ending. Success at this tournament could cement their place in the pantheon of Counter-Strike greats. However, even a single mistake or momentary loss of focus could undo months of flawless work.
