The second Worlds 2025 semifinal promises to be tremendous. Top Esports, the third seed from the LPL and the last team from their region still standing, face a giant in T1, the double reigning champions coming off a hard-fought quarterfinal against Anyone’s Legend.

Although statistics—and likely the entire crowd—place the LCK’s fourth seed as the heavy favorite in this matchup, it’s not impossible that Top Esports have more to show than expected. The stakes could hardly be higher: a fourth consecutive final for T1, or a first-ever appearance on the grand stage for TES.

David versus Goliath

T1’s legacy at Worlds is unmatched. This is their 10th appearance, and they have never finished lower than semifinalist. As two-time defending champions and three-time finalists, their pedigree is unquestionable. Their record against LPL teams in best-of-five series at Worlds is perfect: 12 wins, 0 losses. In contrast, TES are making their fourth Worlds appearance and only their second semifinal. Their international record against LCK teams in best-of-fives is bleak— they have never won.

The two teams have met twice in 2024: T1 won 3-1 in the EWC grand final, and then swept TES 3-0 in the Worlds quarterfinals. Their only other encounter was a 1-0 win for TES in the Swiss Stage this year, but that was a single game and not a series. The historical weight is firmly on T1’s side.

Top Esports’ path to the semifinals was impressive. They eliminated Bilibili Gaming in the Swiss Stage and previously defeated G2 Esports in the quarterfinals. Earlier in the year, they beat Anyone’s Legend in the LPL Summer Split Lower Bracket Final, showing clear dominance. T1, meanwhile, weren’t as convincing in the Swiss Stage, losing to CTBC Flying Oyster and Gen.G, but their five-game victory over AL in the quarterfinals clearly reignited their momentum.

The last stronghold of China

This semifinal is also a duel of experience. T1’s roster is seasoned, with every player except Doran having reached at least four semifinals in the past four years. Lee "Faker" Sang-hyeok, the legendary midlaner, is making his 10th semifinal appearance in his 10th Worlds—something literally unheard of in esports. Mun "Oner" Hyeon-jun, Lee "Gumayusi" Min-hyeong, and Ryu "Keria" Min-seok have all reached four semifinals, while Choi "Doran" Hyeon-joon is on his second.

Top Esports, on the other hand, are relatively inexperienced. Lin "Creme" Jian and Fu "Hang" Ming-Hang are playing in their first semifinal, while Yu "JackeyLove" Wen-Bo and Bai "369" Jia-Hao have each reached three. Seo "Kanavi" Jin-hyeok has two semifinal appearances. The experience gap is big, especially in high-pressure moments.

Faker faces Creme in a duel that perfectly captures the generational clash at the heart of this semifinal. The T1 veteran, competing in his tenth Worlds semifinal, meets the young TES midlaner making his first deep run on the international stage. In the support role, Keria’s trademark aggression and creative playmaking will face a new challenge in Hang, whose more measured and supportive approach has been central to Top Esports’ cohesion this tournament.

The botlane will bring together two of the most decorated AD carries in the world. Gumayusi and JackeyLove both arrive with multiple semifinal appearances and reputations built on clutch performances when the pressure peaks. Finally, the jungle confrontation promises fireworks. Oner and Kanavi are known for how reliable they can be for their team all year long, but the Korean jungler’s extensive big-match experience could tip the scales when it matters most.

This semifinal is not just about who has the better record or more experience—it’s about who can rise to the occasion when it matters most. T1 are the clear favorites, but TES have shown they can compete with the best. The winner will face either Gen.G or KT Rolster in the grand final, but first, they must conquer this challenge.