VCTCN: happywei delivers a fiery performance with a pentakill, XLG defeats AG to advance to the championship match

In the 2025 VCTCN Stage 2 playoffs loser's bracket round 2, XLG overcame AG 2-1 to move on to the loser's bracket semifinals, while also clinching a berth at the Paris championship.

Map 1: Ascent

Defending team AG: Fade, Killjoy, Sage, Skye, Sova

Attacking team XLG: Viper, Sova, Fade, Chamber, Skye

In the first half, AG took the pistol round but then XLG reversed momentum with two straight rounds. In round 4, during a rifle duel, AG held points A and B, successfully delaying the spike plant to win the round. XLG pressed the clock to find openings, rushing quickly once they secured first contact. AG struggled to counter XLG’s aggressive plays, allowing XLG a five-round streak. In round 10, XLG attacked site B but were stopped by AG’s tight defense inside the site. Round 11 featured a fierce battle at site A where happywei secured a four-kill, breaking AG’s defense. Round 12 saw happywei shine again in a 2v2 clutch, eliminating two opponents while defending the spike. The half ended with XLG leading 9-3 over AG.

In the second half, XLG won the pistol round. In round 15, AG executed a pincer attack on site A, with Delb scoring four kills to claim the bonus round. Round 16 saw AG speed up their attack on A after gathering intel, with Viva and coconut unable to hold off the three-pronged assault. AG took three consecutive rounds. In round 18, Xiaohuolong led a rush on A, but XLG’s defenders eliminated K1ra and Xiaohuolong inside the site. AG’s remaining three players rotated to B, but with XLG holding a post-plant angle from the boat house, they successfully ran down the clock to reach match point. AG recovered two match points, and in round 21’s eco round for XLG, AG pushed through A short but XLG traded 2-for-2 on the site. On the subsequent defense, Viva’s triple kill turned the tide, and XLG closed the map 13-8.

Map 2: Fracture

Defending team AG: Viper, KAY/O, Fade, Jett, Sova

Attacking team XLG: Sage, Sova, Viper, KAY/O, Jett

AG started the half with a seven-round winning streak, highlighted by K1ra’s knife kill on NoMan in round 7. In round 8, XLG rushed A quickly with skill usage that caught AG off guard, securing the first point on map 2. XLG continued pushing B in round 9 but failed to control the site and were eliminated after forcing a spike plant. Round 10 saw XLG plant on A and hold aggressively; Shr1mp’s four kills on rotation were eventually countered by Viva, who secured the round for AG. XLG’s attacking half was shaky, struggling with map control and gunfights, while AG’s defense built momentum and reached 9 points.

In the second half, XLG won the pistol round but AG took the bonus round easily. Round 16 had XLG defending B successfully, forcing AG to rotate to A, where XLG’s full squad defended comfortably. AG’s timeout in round 18 paid off, as they caught XLG timing on a silent approach and won a gunfight at B. AG accelerated on A that round, but NoMan’s flank disrupted their formation, allowing XLG to retake the round by dismantling the spike site. XLG kept closing the gap, pressuring AG. At 11-9, AG planted on A and narrowly won the round to reach match point. In round 22, DeLb’s Fade ultimate teleport eliminated Rarga’s Omen; AG planted and held a post-plant angle on the yellow box, winning the round and securing map 2 with a 13-9 score.

Map 3: Lotus

Defending team AG: Raze, Viper, Fade, Skye, Omen

Attacking team XLG: Killjoy, Omen, Fade, Sage, Sova

XLG won the pistol round in the first half. By round 3, XLG’s coordinated abilities controlled A main, followed by a skill setup to enter B and plant the spike. AG, lacking utility and firepower, opted to save weapons. XLG went on a seven-round winning streak early. In round 8, Xiaohuolong secured the first kill for AG on A site, but XLG rotated to B where Rarga’s exceptional gunplay earned a four-kill. AG finally scored in round 9. XLG built a large lead in the half, finishing with 11 points.

In the second half, XLG defended A and won the pistol round, reaching match point. AG had no margin for error and forced a strong buy in round 14 to attack A. XLG’s defense inside A overwhelmed AG’s push, securing the map 3 victory and locking in their place at the Paris championship.