Natus Vincere vs FaZe – IEM Cologne 2025 Group B Upper Bracket Quarter-Final

Natus Vincere overcame FaZe with a 2–1 scoreline in a best-of-three series, advancing to the Group B upper bracket semi-finals. b1t led the charge with a 1.36 rating, supported by iM and makazze. broky delivered key clutches for FaZe, but it wasn’t enough to secure the series. NaVi will face the winner of Spirit vs HEROIC next, while FaZe drop to the lower bracket.

Map 1 – Ancient (13:11 FaZe)

FaZe’s map pick started with Natus Vincere taking an 8–4 CT-side lead, but FaZe responded strongly after the switch, winning 9 of the final 12 rounds to close 13–11. broky stood out with multiple clutch plays, including a 1v3 and a four-AWP hold that pushed FaZe to map point. b1t kept NaVi in contention with a standout pistol round featuring four kills.

Map 2 – Mirage (13:9 Natus Vincere)

NaVi’s pick was controlled and structured. After a balanced 6–6 half, iM’s 1v3 post-plant clutch and w0nderful’s four-kill round in mid gave NaVi the momentum to close Mirage 13–9. FaZe struggled to convert early advantages into round wins, losing multiple retakes.

Map 3 – Nuke (13:5 Natus Vincere)

The decider was one-sided. NaVi secured a 7–5 T half, then locked down the CT side with six consecutive rounds. makazze provided crucial multi-kills, while FaZe’s entries stalled. NaVi closed out 13–5 to take the series.

With this result, Natus Vincere move to the Group B upper bracket semi-finals and will meet the winner of MOUZ vs Liquid. FaZe fall to the lower bracket and will play their elimination match on Monday.

IEM Cologne 2025 is held in Cologne, Germany, featuring a $1,000,000 prize pool. The group stage runs from July 24 to July 30, followed by playoffs in the Lanxess Arena from August 1 to 3. The top three finishers will claim $400,000, $180,000, and $80,000 respectively.