NAVI defeat paiN on Dust2 and move one step closer to the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 playoffs
In a tense matchup of StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 Stage 3, Natus Vincere secured an important victory over paiN, strengthening their chances of advancing to the playoffs. The match on Dust2 proved to be close and tactical, with both teams demonstrating a deep understanding of the map and clear preparation for their opponent’s playstyle. Despite paiN’s attempts to spark a comeback in the second half, NAVI managed to regain control and confidently closed out the game.
The course of the match was largely shaped during the map veto phase, where the strategic priorities of both teams emerged:
- Natus Vincere removed Overpass
- Natus Vincere removed Inferno
- paiN removed Train
- paiN removed Ancient
- paiN removed Mirage
- Natus Vincere removed Nuke
- Dust2 was left over
NAVI began on the T side of Dust2 but were unable to seize full control early on. paiN were well-prepared for NAVI’s style and finished the first half trailing only 5–7. In the second half, paiN secured the opening three rounds, hinting at a potential comeback, but NAVI shut down their momentum with a dominant six-round streak, closing Dust2 13–8.
Match MVP
The standout player of the match was iM, who finished Dust2 with 108.7 ADR, +4.88% Swing, and a 1.56 rating.
With this victory, NAVI move to a 2–1 record, bringing them one step closer to the playoffs. paiN, meanwhile, drop to the 1–2 bracket and will continue their fight for survival. StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 Stage 3 runs from December 4 to 7, with only eight teams advancing to the playoffs to compete for the championship title and the $500,000 prize pool.
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