The Esports World Cup 2025 semifinals are upon us, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. Four teams remain: Vitality, The MongolZ, Aurora, and Falcons, and each of them is just two steps away from lifting one of the most prestigious trophies of the season.

But one thing is certain: this year’s playoff bracket already feels unusual. One of the biggest contenders for the crown, Team Spirit, is not here. Their shocking elimination by Heroic earlier in the tournament left the door wide open, and now the biggest heavyweight left is Vitality. The French powerhouse is looking to avoid a painful streak. After dominating the first half of 2025, they have already missed out on two major trophies in a row. Will EWC be redemption or another heartbreak?

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Vitality vs The MongolZ: A Rivalry Renewed

The most anticipated clash of the semifinals is Vitality vs The MongolZ, set for August 23rd.

This matchup carries extra weight because just a month ago, at the BLAST Bounty 2025 Season 2 Finals, The MongolZ shocked the world by eliminating Vitality. For ZywOo and company, this semifinal is not just about reaching the grand final, it is about revenge.

Vitality enters the semis after dismantling TYLOO in a comfortable 2-0, with ZywOo in monstrous form, tallying a ridiculous 2.69 rating on Inferno. FlameZ’s consistency has also been a key factor, showing Vitality still has the firepower to roll over opponents.

On the other side, The MongolZ continue to prove they are no fluke. They overcame 3DMAX in a hard-fought 2-1, showcasing both composure and resilience. Azbayar “Senzu” Munkhbold and Sodbayar “Techno” Munkhbold shined in clutch moments, turning tight rounds into series-defining plays. The MongolZ’s momentum and belief could make this series razor-close.

The key storyline: Can The MongolZ repeat their BLAST upset, or will Vitality’s hunger for redemption push them through?

Aurora vs Falcons: The Dark Horses Collide

On the other side of the bracket, Aurora will face Falcons in what could be a sleeper classic.

Aurora stunned Heroic 2-0 in the quarterfinals, with XANTARES running rampant on Mirage (21 kills, 165 ADR). The Turkish squad’s mix of experience and raw aim gives them the confidence to aim higher than just a semifinal appearance.

Falcons, meanwhile, barely survived their clash against MOUZ in a nail-biting 2-1. NiKo, kyxsan, and newcomer kyousuke stepped up with massive clutches to carry the team across the finish line. But the cracks were visible, with squandered advantages, pistol-round losses, and shaky conversions that could spell disaster against a composed Aurora side.

The key storyline: Will Falcons’ raw star power outweigh Aurora’s discipline, or are we about to see XANTARES lead his team into their first EWC grand final?

The Big Picture

With Spirit gone, the narrative shifts heavily toward Vitality. They are the only remaining “giant” of the tier-one scene, and expectations are sky-high. But their recent form casts doubt: will they finally clinch the title, or stumble once again and miss their **third trophy in a row **after such a dominant start to the year?

One thing is guaranteed: the EWC semifinals will set the stage for a grand final unlike any other. And if The MongolZ manage to topple Vitality again, it could mark a true changing of the guard in CS2.