The first day at the Accor Arena gave spectators two surprising results on the final weekend of VALORANT Champions Paris 2025. NRG Esports closed out Fnatic 2–0 after a tight Ascent overtime and a lopsided Abyss, while DRX swept Paper Rex behind Song "HYUNMIN" Hyun-min’s standout Ascent to book a clash with Fnatic for a spot in the grand final against NRG.

A second champions title for Ethan?

FNC opened strongly the defense on Ascent, taking an 8–4 lead at the half, but NRG steadied their mid-rounds, executed clean retakes, and dragged the map to overtime. In the extra rounds, NRG secured both decisive frames to close 14–12. Notably, NRG have, without exception, converted every overtime into a map win at this tournament, a resilience forged by sustained high-intensity duels throughout the event. With this result, NRG stand one game away from qualifying for the Champions Paris grand final.

Back on Abyss for the second map, NRG accelerated on attack, while Fnatic struggled to stem the momentum and trailed 1–11 at the side swap, a comprehensive display from the Americas seed #2. After the break, Fnatic rallied to put a few rounds on the board, but the deficit proved insurmountable; they dropped the map and the series, sending them to a do-or-die match against the winner of the series between DRX and PRX. Across the best-of-three, Logan "skuba" Jenkins topped his team with 39 kills and a 1.59 rating with a massive impact, especially on Ascent, where his plays helped seal the game.

Transcendent Koreans

The clash between the two PACIFIC teams began on Ascent. Paper Rex raced ahead on attack to a 9–3 halftime, but DRX completely flipped the script on defense with strong mid-control and tidy retakes, forcing overtime. DRX held their nerve in the money time and edged it 15–13. Song "HYUNMIN" Hyun-min delivered a masterclass: 36 kills, 345 ACS on Ascent including 23 frags on defense, and unlocked several key entries that made the comeback possible.

On Lotus, DRX built on that momentum. Their attack combined structure with A/B split variations, and on defense they controlled space methodically. PRX could not manufacture enough favorable duels to force a third map. Despite a late 1v3 from Wang "Jinggg" Jing Jie that briefly stalled the outcome, it was not enough. DRX closed the series 2–0 and will face Fnatic for a place in the final, where NRG await.