VALORANT - Champions 2025: Fnatic sends Paper Rex to the lower bracket, NRG claims a top 3 spot

On Day 4 of the VALORANT Champions Playoffs, the two upper semifinal series delivered contrasting dramas. Fnatic overcame Paper Rex in a comeback classic with a stand-in of Domagoj "Doma" Fancev for Emir Ali "Alfajer" Beder, who was absent due to health issues, while NRG narrowly beat MIBR in an overtime battle. It was depth, role flexibility, and mid-series adaptations that made the difference, with Fnatic booking their place in the Upper Final and NRG joining them.

The first map of the match between Fnatic and Paper Rex took place on Bind. Kajetan "kaajak" Haremski set the tone with an impressive 30/17/8 on Yoru, dominating sites with well-timed teleporters and capitalising on PRX’s mistakes in the later rounds. However, PRX recovered thanks to Khalish "d4v41" Rusyaidee and Jason "f0rsakeN" Susanto, who secured more post-plant victories and clinched the late bonus swing to win 13–10. Starting for the unwell Alfajer, Doma delivered timely multikills as Killjoy, but FNC couldn’t prevent PRX's utility-layered retakes.

For the second map, Haven, Fnatic made a statement. Defensive layering around Jake "Boaster" Howlett's Omen smokes and instant pivoting enabled kaajak to dominate the opening duels, while Austin "crashies" Roberts stabilised the late rounds. Doma impressed again with his precise multikills, securing the position, and Fnatic comfortably won the map 13–4. This match clearly demonstrated kaajak finally found his Champions form following a more subdued initial performance in the event.

Lotus was the deciding map, down 3–9 at the half, Fnatic delivered a flawless defensive half to win 10 straight and steal Lotus, 13–9. Timofey "Chronicle" Khromov was unstoppable with a KDA of 31/14/7, 377 ACS, and with site-denial and rotation-catching flanks. kaajak added five first kills to crack PRX’s mid-rounds, and Doma’s utility traded out PRX’s entries multiple times. PRX failed to win a single round in the second half as FNC’s reads suffocated the split-pressure looks.

The second match started on Abyss. From the outset, MIBR raced to impact behind Gabriel "Cortezia" Cortez and Erick "aspas" Santos. However, NRG matched the pace once the rifles came online. Adam "mada" Pampuch found critical Yoru timings, while Ethan "Ethan" Arnold's late-round calming of post-plants saw NRG edge the single-OT thriller 16–14 after the teams traded opening halves at 6–6.

A blowout on the second map, Haven. aspas on Neon dominated with six opening picks, achieving a 23/8/1 KDA and a 1.73 rating. MIBR hit sites hard and fast, never letting NRG catch their breath. Supported by Andrew "Verno" Maust and Arthur "artziN" Araujo with picture-perfect trailblazer/knife layers, MIBR easily levelled the series at 13–4.

The decider on Corrode was a nerve-wracking affair. MIBR were leading 7–5 at half-time thanks to their creative Waylay entries, but NRG turned the tables with Sam "s0m" Oh’s smokes and Brock "brawk" Somerhalder’s information to reach 10–8. MIBR forced overtime with three consecutive points, but NRG won 16–14 thanks to disciplined transitioning from bonus rounds into full buys and a precise final retake. The series went to NRG, 2–1, earning them a place in the Upper Final against Fnatic.