BLAST.tv Austin Major 2025 will go down in history as one of the most unpredictable Majors of the CS2 era. The tournament became a stage not only for well-known giants but also for new heroes and unexpected failures. In this article, we highlight the biggest surprises and disappointments that shook the fanbase.
SURPRISES
paiN Gaming — A Semifinal From the Brazilian Dream
The Brazilian team was a true playoff revelation. Having advanced through Stage 2 with a 3–1 record, paiN looked confident throughout the event. The turning point came in the quarterfinals with a 2–1 win over FURIA, where biguzera, snow, and dav1deuS showed excellent form. One of the most memorable moments was on Inferno, where nqz dropped 29 kills and helped swing the game on the final map.
In the semifinals, paiN put up a solid fight against The MongolZ, ultimately finishing among the top 4 teams in the world. The success of this lineup — which also includes dgt from Uruguay — became a symbol of Latin America’s multinational potential.
Legacy — Underdogs From the Depths of MRQ
Starting their run from Stage 1, Legacy turned out to be the dark horse of the lower bracket. The South American squad went 3–2 in the opening phase, then defeated mibr, FaZe, and 3DMax in Stage 2, finishing with an unexpected 3–0. In Stage 3, they shocked everyone with a BO1 win over Vitality (13–10 on Dust2), ending Vitality’s massive win streak.
In the final playoff decider, Legacy fell 0–2 to MOUZ, but their journey remains a shining example of how discipline and teamwork can elevate “unknown” players into contenders against the elite.
Lynn Vision — The Chinese Breakthrough
Another highlight of regional growth was Lynn Vision. The Chinese team began in Stage 1 and went 3–2, defeating NRG, Legacy, and ChinggisWarrior. In Stage 2, they stunned many with a BO1 win over Falcons, and then beat B8 in the decider to reach Stage 3.
There, they started strong with a crushing 13–5 win over Liquid on Dust2. Despite suffering three straight losses after that (including the final one to Legacy), their campaign showed that the Asian region is no longer just an outsider.
FURIA — Not a Title, But Still a Top-8 Finish
Once dismissed as a non-threat at big events, FURIA stormed back into the playoffs with confidence. They went 3–1 in Stage 2 with wins over Lynn Vision, B8, and M80, and dominated Stage 3 with a perfect 3–0 record against The MongolZ, Aurora, and Virtus.pro.
However, they were eliminated in the quarterfinals by paiN. Still, their aggressive style is becoming increasingly dangerous for opponents — and they might pleasantly surprise us again in future tournaments.
DISAPPOINTMENTS
Team Falcons — Millions Spent, Nothing Gained
A dream roster: m0NESY, Magisk, NiKo, TeSeS, kyxsan. Yet Falcons were one of the tournament’s biggest flops. Eliminated in Stage 2 with a 1–3 record after losses to Lynn Vision, B8, and mibr, their hopes were crushed early.
Individual form was inconsistent, and team cohesion was clearly lacking. This Major proved that even superstar rosters can fail if there’s no shared vision of how to play.
Liquid — Ambitions Unfulfilled
After solid performances on spring LANs, Liquid were expected to at least reach the top 8. Starting directly in Stage 3, they never found their footing. Three straight losses — to Lynn Vision, The MongolZ, and finally MOUZ — ended their run.
Their aim was shaky, and timing misreads were frequent. NertZ, siuhy, and NAF all looked disconnected, and team chemistry never clicked. A playoff miss like this is a painful blow for North America’s top team.
Aurora — Crumbled Under Pressure
A squad with the potential to compete deep into playoffs, Aurora couldn’t handle the pressure and exited Stage 3 with only one win — an opening upset over FaZe. They then lost three in a row to FURIA, G2, and finally MOUZ, despite showing moments of brilliance.
That FaZe game, where XANTARES posted an absurd 2.20 rating, hinted at greatness. But in later matches, the team lacked coordination. Despite individual flashes, the overall performance was flat.
BLAST.tv Austin Major 2025 proved one thing: Majors no longer belong solely to the favorites. Underdogs from South America, China, and even regional mixes can rise to the top. Big budgets and superstar names no longer guarantee success. And that’s exactly why we love Counter-Strike.
