VCTCN: Rarga's incredible 1v3 performance secures a pentakill, leading XLG to defeat FPX and advance to the playoffs.

In the third week of the second stage of the 2025 VCTCN regular season, two undefeated teams showcased an exciting battle of offense and defense. XLG swept FPX 2-0, leveraging their early score advantage to secure a spot in the playoffs.

Image 1: The Hidden Repair Shop

Defending team FPX: Hunter, Shadow, Neon, Viper, Wisp

Attacking team XLG: Viper, Shadow, Hunter, Jolly, Neon

XLG easily secured the first two points, and in the long gun round, they broke through FPX's defense again with control and infiltration of the mid lane, establishing an economic advantage. They then rolled up a snowball effect, scoring five consecutive victories, forcing FPX to call their first timeout. After the timeout, FPX's economy remained weak, but their newly arranged tactics finally suppressed XLG. The two teams faced off in C, where FPX executed an effective counterattack. However, this was FPX's only response in the first half. After gaining two points, XLG quickly adapted and broke through FPX's defense again without using a timeout, ending the first half with a dominating 10:2 lead.

In the face of a significant score gap, the pistol round was crucial for FPX, while XLG was unwilling to give their opponents a chance to close the gap. The two teams engaged in fierce battles in the mid lane, and after gaining a numerical advantage, XLG confidently secured the final moments, seemingly grasping victory. In the economic round, FPX cautiously entered the garage looking for opportunities, while XLG responded with a standard 2-1-2 formation. FPX ultimately chose to attack the B area, with Life bursting out of the garage to eliminate opponents in C, causing XLG's defense to collapse and allowing FPX to turn the economic round around. With a disadvantage in firepower, XLG conceded two points in a row, prompting them to use their first timeout of the day. After the timeout, XLG calmly defended against the C area attack, using items to counter and regain control, with Happywei connecting three kills to help the team secure match point. However, FPX's counterattack was just beginning. Under the pressure of match point, they scored four consecutive points through a team breakthrough, forcing XLG to use their second timeout earlier than FPX. After the timeout, Rarga decisively pushed forward in C, instantly killing two opponents and destroying the spike. FPX reclaimed the spike, leading to a final showdown in C, where XLG narrowly won the final moments, taking Image 1 with a score of 13:8.

Image 2: Sunset City

Defending team XLG: Viper, Shadow, Hunter, Steel Lock, Neon

Attacking team FPX: Hunter, Swift, Zero, Night Dew, Shadow

XLG secured the first two points, and in the long gun round, FPX managed to pull back a point but was soon suppressed again by XLG. After calling a timeout, FPX scored a few points through Life's aggressive Phantom play, but XLG quickly adjusted their strategy, increasing Rarga's freedom to create more opportunities, maintaining a solid lead. FPX had to use their second timeout before the end of the first half, eventually scoring two points to close the score at 5:7.

After switching sides, XLG chose to attack the B area in the pistol round, but FPX's defense was solid and quickly crushed XLG's offense. Alone, Rarga faced a 1v3 situation, calmly responding and securing a pentakill to turn the tide! This spectacular five-kill boosted XLG's morale, allowing them to continue to suppress FPX. Although Life and yosemite performed brilliantly for FPX, the overall team spirit remained low. XLG dominated to reach match point, but in the match point round, XLG's aggressive attack on A was instantly thwarted by FPX's ambush, keeping the suspense alive. Under the pressure of match point, FPX set up double Phantoms, repeatedly neutralizing XLG's attacks. With the score gap reduced to just three points, XLG called their final timeout to devise a new strategy but still struggled to crack the hot double-sniper setup. In the last round of regular time, XLG decided to collectively attack the A area, but the long-silent BerLin emerged from the site to once again dismantle XLG's offense, allowing FPX to chase down six consecutive match points, dragging the match into overtime!

In the first round of overtime, Rarga once again burned brightly, taking down three opponents with a Phantom on A long. Autumn almost completed a triple kill against XLG's three players. After narrowly securing match point again, XLG voluntarily called a timeout. After the timeout, XLG returned to the attacking side. The economic situation in overtime did not allow FPX to force out double Phantoms, which became XLG's crucial opportunity. Rarga charged into the B area, achieving a double kill and breaking through. FPX's last hope was shattered by XLG, who took Image 2 with a score of 12:14, handing FPX their first defeat with a final score of 2:0!