FNC PRX Champions 2025 Semifinal
Throughout 2025, Fnatic consistently reached the final stages of major VALORANT events but fell just short of securing a title. They placed second at the Esports World Cup after losing to Team Heretics and later faced Paper Rex in the Masters Toronto final, where they were once again denied a championship.
At VALORANT Champions 2025, both teams crossed paths once more in the upper semifinal. For Fnatic, the match offered a chance to settle past results, while for Paper Rex it was an opportunity to reassert dominance after mixed performances across the season. The clash carried weight for both sides, with history and rivalry shaping the stakes.
Stream: Watch FNC vs PRX at VALORANT Champions 2025
Fans followed the first upper semifinal on September 28. The matchup between FNATIC and Paper Rex streamed live through:
- Official YouTube channel
- Embedded broadcast below
Fnatic versus Paper Rex, semifinal: Maps, score, agents, and more
Fnatic secure 2–1 victory over Paper Rex
The semifinal clash ended with Fnatic defeating Paper Rex in a best-of-three series. The match scores were:
| Map | Pick | Result | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bind | PRX | 13–10 | PRX |
| Haven | FNC | 13–4 | FNC |
| Lotus | Decider | 13–9 | FNC |
Fnatic advanced to the upper final at VALORANT Champions 2025, while Paper Rex dropped into the lower bracket.
Agent selections
Both teams showcased a variety of compositions across the three maps. The following table outlines the agents chosen by each side:
| Player | Team | Map 1 | Map 2 | Map 3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jake “Boaster” Howlett | FNC | Astra | Omen | Omen |
| Domagoj “Doma” Fancev | FNC | Tejo | Killjoy | Killjoy |
| Timofey “Chronicle” Khromov | FNC | Viper | Viper | Viper |
| Kajetan “kaajak” Haremski | FNC | Yoru | Yoru | Raze |
| Austin “crashies” Roberts | FNC | Fade | Sova | Fade |
| Khalish “d4v41” Rusyaidee | PRX | Viper | Vyse | Vyse |
| Jason “f0rsakeN” Susanto | PRX | Brimstone | Waylay | Omen |
| Ilia “something” Petrov | PRX | Yoru | Yoru | Yoru |
| Wang “Jinggg” Jing Jie | PRX | Raze | Omen | Raze |
| Patrick “PatMen” Mendoza | PRX | Fade | Fade | Fade |
Fnatic leaned heavily on Viper and utility-focused agents like Killjoy and Fade. Paper Rex experimented with more aggressive picks such as Yoru and Raze, aiming to disrupt Fnatic’s setups.
Match overview
Paper Rex looked strong on Bind, holding onto their undefeated streak on that map until this series. Fnatic responded with overwhelming dominance on Haven, taking control early and never letting go.
The decider on Lotus featured one of the most dramatic shifts of the tournament. Paper Rex led 9–1, but Fnatic strung together 12 consecutive rounds to close the map 13–9. This comeback highlighted Fnatic’s resilience and ability to adapt mid-series.
Map one: Bind
Paper Rex selected Bind, a map where they had maintained a flawless record in 2025. They started confidently, winning both pistols and several early rounds. Fnatic initially struggled but managed to adjust to PRX’s slower-than-usual attacking pace.
Key moments included kaajak’s clutch plays in Rounds 6 and 7, where he secured crucial kills and a 1v1 defuse against f0rsakeN. Despite these efforts, PRX regained control after the side switch. d4v41’s 1v2 clutch in Round 14 denied Fnatic a potential eco win.
Fnatic briefly rallied with a low-buy victory in Round 16, but Paper Rex closed the map with decisive late-round calls. The final score stood at 13–10 in PRX’s favor.
Map two: Haven
Fnatic’s pick of Haven shifted the momentum entirely. Paper Rex took the pistols but failed to capitalize, losing the following eco round to Fnatic. From that point onward, FNC dictated the pace.
Chronicle’s 1v1 clutch in Round 11 against something exemplified Fnatic’s control of the map. crashies delivered standout performances in the pistol rounds, while Boaster added a strong 3K in Round 16.
Paper Rex struggled to find openings, and Fnatic closed the map convincingly at 13–4. This win evened the series and set the stage for a tense decider.
Map three: Lotus — Fnatic vs Paper Rex at VALORANT Champions 2025
The deciding map began with Fnatic winning the pistol round, but Paper Rex immediately struck back with a low-buy success in Round 2. PRX then surged ahead, building a commanding 9–1 lead.
At that point, Fnatic mounted one of the most impressive comebacks of the tournament. They tightened their defense and denied PRX any further rounds. From 1–9 down, Fnatic chained together 12 straight victories to take Lotus 13–9.
This turnaround not only secured the series but also demonstrated Fnatic’s ability to thrive under pressure. Their defensive coordination and individual clutch plays defined the final map.
Key Takeaways:
- Paper Rex maintained their Bind dominance but faltered on Haven.
- Fnatic’s adaptability and discipline led to a historic comeback on Lotus.
- The 2–1 result pushed Fnatic into the upper final, while PRX faced the challenge of surviving the lower bracket.
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Navigating Challenging Matches on the Road to the Semifinals
Both Fnatic and Paper Rex advanced to the semifinals of VALORANT Champions 2025 without dropping a series, yet the path was far from simple. Each round tested their ability to adapt under pressure, and several opponents forced them into difficult situations.
Fnatic opened their campaign with a confident win against Rex Regum Qeon, setting a steady tone for the group stage. Their next challenge came from MIBR, who stunned them on Bind with a 13–5 scoreline. Fnatic regrouped, adjusted strategies, and turned the series around to secure progress.
In the quarterfinals, Fnatic faced DRX, a matchup that highlighted moments of miscommunication and uneven coordination. Despite those struggles, they managed to stabilize and close out the series.
Key results for Fnatic so far:
| Match | Opponent | Result | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group Stage | Rex Regum Qeon | Win | Strong opening performance |
| Group Stage | MIBR | Win | Recovered after heavy map loss |
| Quarterfinal | DRX | Win | Overcame internal play issues |
The semifinal stage now brings even tougher opposition, with both teams aiming to refine their play before the final stretch of the tournament.