VALORANT - Champions 2025: Paper Rex's dominance knows no bounds, DRX reverse swept by NRG

Day 5 of the VALORANT Champions in Paris has begun. PRX achieved a reverse sweep against GIANTX after losing the first map, while NRG survived a wild three-map set against DRX to secure the top playoff seed. Clutches, eco-steals and fearless mid-rounds characterised a day where momentum swung rapidly, and where every pistol round felt pivotal.

This match begins on Ascent with GIANTX picking PRX. PRX sets the tone early with an ace from Ilia "something" Petrov with a Ghost on Yoru to defend mid, then converts anti-eco and bonus (3–0). GX wakes up in the 4th, comes back to 3–3 and even takes the lead. PRX responds with a very active defense TP Omen in the enemy spawn, tempo traps to regain the lead and end the half 7–5.

Back in the game, PRX wins a pistol round that was looking bad at 3v5, clutched by a surgical something on the timings. GX, very high up on the map, steals the eco and then follows up, widening the gap to 11–9 and earning two map points thanks to a B defense led by Karel "flickless" Maeckelbergh with a decisive flash for Hanceriuc "Ara" Eduard-George. With a perfectly coordinated mid push, GIANTX closed out the map and took a 1–0 lead.

Second map Lotus, as on Ascent, Paper Rex pockets both gun rounds and takes the lead (6–2), despite an eco stolen by GX on B. PRX's structure and clean retakes hold the fort until 8–4 at the break. On defense, GX finally takes its first pistol round thanks to superb timing from Miłosz "westside" Duda on Cypher, then converts. Once armed, the Singaporeans take control again with rigorous post-planting, clean executions PRX races to 12–7. GX saves map bullets with courage, gradually catching up, but PRX closes 13–10 to force a decider.

To finish off the decider, Sunset starts with a mirror start from Lotus: 3–1 PRX, then a 3K Sheriff from westside on retake revives GX. Every time GX scores, PRX responds with two until a second European surge brings them back and gives them a 7–5 halftime lead. After the break, PRX came out firing on all cylinders, pistol won on a 3 kill from something, a series of four additional rounds, 12–5. Wang "Jinggg" Jing Jie (K23/D11/A3) walked the end of the map, PRX finished cleanly and sent GX to the elimination match against the winner of Sentinels VS Wi Lai Gaming.

Haven is DRX's pick. The Koreans set the pace early on pistol round mastered on B, bonus secured (3–0). NRG comes back to 3–4, but DRX's dual duelist imposes his will quick execs, clinical utility, 8–4 at the break, then a solo run. DRX converts without faltering and takes the first map 1–0.

NRG's pick arrives on Corrode with their backs against the wall. DRX gets off to a flying start, 3–0 including the bonus, thanks to the Yoru (Cho "Flashback" Min-hyuk) and Waylay (Song "Hyunmin" Hyun-min) combo. It takes a huge 3K from s0m and then an ACE from Adam "mada" Pampuch to get NRG going. DRX stays in control at halftime 7–5, then NRG wins the pistol and anti-eco on a 4-man push at spawn, but is caught off guard by a Korean eco 8–6. The map becomes a back-and-forth battle, and despite DRX's relentless attacks, NRG hangs on, ties it up at 11–11, and ends up clinching it on Lotus.

On Lotus, DRX comes out swinging, taking a 5–0 lead with a 1v4 clutch from beyn, and leading 8–4 at halftime. NRG changed the tone with double Odin, compact retakes, and a methodical comeback to 8–8, then 11–11. After a 1v1 won by Kim "MaKo" Myeong-gwan, DRX approached the line, but NRG refused to give up, turned the last rounds around, and clinched the playoff qualification as seed #1.