Welcome, Counter-Strike 2 fans! The intensity of IEM Chengdu 2025 continues to rise as the tournament moves into the quarterfinal stage, running from November 3 to November 9, 2025, with sixteen of the world’s best teams competing for a $300,000 prize pool. Today’s featured matchup brings together two exciting contenders — FURIA Esports and The MongolZ — in what promises to be a high-stakes clash of styles. FURIA’s structured aggression and veteran leadership will be tested against The MongolZ’s explosive aim and fearless tempo. As both squads fight for a coveted semifinal spot, let’s break down their recent performances, strengths, and what to expect from this thrilling encounter.
How the Bookies View It: FURIA Slightly Favoured
As the quarterfinals of Intel Extreme Masters Chengdu 2025 get underway, bookmakers give a slight edge to FURIA Esports, listing them at 1.45 odds, while The MongolZ stand as underdogs at 2.65. The numbers reflect FURIA’s strong recent form and experience on the international stage, with the Brazilian squad known for their tactical structure and aggressive mid-round calls. The MongolZ, however, have proven time and again that they thrive under pressure, using their fearless and fast-paced approach to dismantle even top-tier opponents. Given both teams’ explosive potential and recent consistency, this matchup promises to be far from one-sided — a true test of discipline versus momentum.
FURIA Esports form. What result can be expected from FURIA
Team FURIA Esports in 2025 has established itself as one of the most dynamic Latin American organizations in the global CS2 scene, combining aggressive gameplay, regional experience, and a growing international presence. Founded on April 16, 2018, FURIA initially rose to prominence in Counter‑Strike: Global Offensive, consistently competing among the top South American teams and earning recognition for their distinctive playstyle and strong brand identity. The transition to Counter-Strike 2 brought new challenges, including higher global competition and the need for roster evolution, which the organization addressed by integrating international talent alongside its Brazilian core.
The 2025 roster blends seasoned veterans with emerging players: Gabriel “FalleN” Toledo leads as captain and IGL, providing strategic guidance and leadership; Kaike “KSCERATO” Cerato delivers consistent rifling prowess; Yuri “yuurih” Santos acts as a reliable support; while Danil “molodoy” Golubenko and Mareks “YEKINDAR” Galinskis, both 2025 additions, bring fresh mechanical skill and flexibility to the team. This combination allows FURIA to maintain aggressive playstyles while adapting to different opponents and high-pressure situations.
- Team FURIA Esports 2025 roster: FalleN, KSCERATO, yuurih, molodoy, YEKINDAR.
FURIA’s 2025 season demonstrated a trajectory of improvement and resilience. In mid-October, they captured the Thunderpick World Championship 2025, coming from behind to defeat their opponents 3:2 in a thrilling offline final, earning $200,000. Earlier that month, at ESL Pro League Season 22, the team faced stronger competition and finished 5th–8th, taking $18,000. September began with a notable triumph at FISSURE Playground #2, winning 3:2 in another S-tier offline event for $200,000, though a week earlier they had placed 3rd–4th at BLAST Open Fall 2025 with a 0:2 loss in the final stages, highlighting the team’s competitive consistency with occasional setbacks. On the online front, FURIA qualified through BLAST Open Fall 2025: Closed Qualifier, winning 2:0, reinforcing their strength in online competition.
The summer season included mixed results. Early August saw the team exit BLAST Bounty Fall 2025: Closed Qualifier in 9th–16th place with a 1:2 loss, while at the beginning of the month they performed admirably at Intel Extreme Masters Cologne 2025, finishing 5th–6th and earning $40,000. July brought a 9th–12th place at FISSURE Playground #1 ($10,000), and in June, FURIA competed at BLAST.tv Austin Major 2025, securing 5th–8th place and $45,000. In May, the team faced early exits at IEM Dallas 2025 (9th–12th, $5,000) and PGL Astana 2025 (4th, $43,750), reflecting the challenges of competing consistently against global top-tier teams.
Overall, FURIA’s 2025 results show a mix of regional dominance, strong online performances, and valuable international exposure. The roster has demonstrated the ability to win high-stakes matches, adapt to changing metas, and incorporate new talent effectively, while still working to close the gap against established European and North American organizations.
The team’s main strength lies in balancing experienced leadership with emerging talent. FalleN, KSCERATO, and yuurih provide stability and strategic direction, while molodoy and YEKINDAR bring energy, sharp mechanical skills, and versatility. This combination allows FURIA to execute aggressive tactics while maintaining cohesion and mid-round decision-making.
Challenges remain in achieving consistent results at the global level, particularly against elite European and North American teams. FURIA will need to continue refining strategies, building roster synergy, and gaining experience in S-tier tournaments to secure a more permanent position among the world’s top squads.
Looking toward 2026, FURIA aims to cement its status as a leading Latin American team while expanding its impact on the international stage. With a balanced roster, focused coaching, and steady participation in major tournaments, the organization is poised to compete more effectively with elite CS2 teams and continue its upward trajectory in competitive Counter-Strike 2.
FURIA Esports Map Pool
Over the past three months, FURIA Esports has demonstrated strong map performance across their competitive schedule, highlighting both consistency and strategic depth. The team has been particularly dominant on Nuke and Overpass, winning 77.8% of their matches on each map, showcasing their preparation, utility usage, and coordinated executes. Train has also been a reliable map for the squad, with a 71.4% win rate, reflecting their ability to control key choke points and maintain pressure in mid-round situations. On Inferno, FURIA has achieved a 68.8% success rate, combining aggressive mid-round plays with disciplined site control. Mirage remains a solid choice at 61.5%, while Dust2 presents more of a challenge, with a 50% win rate, indicating opportunities for further refinement and strategic adjustments. Overall, these statistics underline FURIA’s versatility and adaptability across a variety of maps, cementing their reputation as one of Latin America’s top CS2 teams.
The MongolZ form. What result can be expected from The MongolZ
In 2025, The MongolZ have solidified their status as one of the most remarkable success stories in the modern Counter-Strike 2 scene. Representing Mongolia, the team has transitioned from regional obscurity to global recognition, combining youthful energy, mechanical precision, and fearless aggression. Originally emerging from the Asian CS:GO scene, The MongolZ made a decisive impact with their entry into CS2, demonstrating that talent from non-traditional regions can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Europe’s and North America’s elite rosters.
- The MongolZ 2025 roster: bLitz, Techno4K, mzinho, 910, controlez (stand-in).
The MongolZ’s 2025 campaign has been both impressive and defining for Asian Counter-Strike. The team’s breakthrough came in August 2025, when they claimed 1st place at the Esports World Cup 2025, dominating the final series 3:0 and taking home $500,000 — the biggest prize in the organization’s history. This victory established The MongolZ as the first Mongolian team to win a major global S-tier CS2 event, capturing the attention of the entire esports world.
Before that, in June, the team reached the grand final of BLAST.tv Austin Major 2025, narrowly losing 1:2 but earning $170,000 and proving their capability against tier-one opposition. Their run included decisive victories over several European favorites, underlining their strategic discipline and clutch performance under pressure.
In the summer, The MongolZ also displayed consistent form across multiple premier tournaments. At Intel Extreme Masters Cologne 2025, they secured 5th–6th place, taking home $40,000, while in May, they placed 3rd–4th at IEM Dallas 2025 ($25,000) and 5th–8th at PGL Astana 2025 ($31,250). Their run at FISSURE Playground #2 in September ended with a 2nd-place finish and $100,000, showcasing their ability to adapt across event formats. Later, in October, The MongolZ placed 3rd at the Thunderpick World Championship 2025 ($28,000), confirming their top-tier consistency throughout the year.
Across all competitions, The MongolZ earned nearly $1 million in prize money during 2025 — a historic milestone for both the team and Mongolian esports. Their competitive record also reflects remarkable resilience: even after lineup instability, the team continues to hold its place among the global top 10 according to multiple ranking platforms.
The MongolZ’s playstyle is characterized by fast, aggressive rounds, precise aim duels, and strong mid-round calls from bLitz. Their early-round confidence often breaks opponents’ setups, while Techno4K and 910 provide relentless pressure on entry. Despite being one of the youngest lineups in top-tier CS2, their mechanical ceiling rivals that of Europe’s best, making them a constant dark-horse threat at any event they attend.
The MongolZ Map Pool
Over the past three months, The MongolZ have demonstrated remarkable map versatility and tactical depth across the CS2 competitive pool. Their strongest battleground has been Ancient, where they hold an impressive 66.7% win rate, often using it as a statement map to assert early control in series. Mirage remains the team’s first pick in most matches, boasting a solid 61.1% win rate, thanks to their confident mid-control and sharp individual aim. Overpass follows closely with 60.0%, where structured utility usage and disciplined rotations often give them the edge against aggressive opponents. On Inferno (58.3%) and Nuke (57.1%), The MongolZ continue to show steady form, balancing aggression with tactical patience. Even their least dominant map, Dust2, sits at a competitive 53.8%.
Head to Head: FURIA vs The MongolZ
The head-to-head history between FURIA Esports and The MongolZ paints a picture of a tightly contested rivalry that has evolved throughout 2025. The teams have met nine times, with The MongolZ holding a narrow 5–4 advantage. Earlier in the season, the Mongolian lineup asserted dominance, defeating FURIA 2–0 at PGL Bucharest 2025 (Mirage 13–9, Nuke 13–11) and repeating their success at IEM Dallas 2025 (Anubis 13–7, Mirage 13–7). However, the Brazilian squad managed to strike back later in the year, securing a 2–0 victory at the Thunderpick World Championship 2025 (Dust II 19–15, Mirage 13–11). The close scoreline and alternating wins reflect how evenly matched these teams are — FURIA’s structured, tactical approach facing off against The MongolZ’s fearless aggression, making their upcoming quarterfinal clash one of the most anticipated matches of the tournament.
Predicted result of the match FURIA – The MongolZ at IEM Chengdu 2025
This quarterfinal between FURIA Esports and The MongolZ at IEM Chengdu 2025 promises to be one of the most closely contested matchups of the tournament. On paper, FURIA enter as the favorites — their tactical structure, experience, and consistency against top-tier teams justify the odds of 1.45. The Brazilians have been stable on LAN, displaying excellent coordination and map control throughout the event.
However, The MongolZ should not be underestimated. The Mongolian squad has repeatedly proven capable of upsetting higher-ranked opponents, thanks to their fearless, high-tempo playstyle and sharp mechanical skill. They already hold a positive head-to-head record (5–4) against FURIA in 2025 and have demonstrated impressive map versatility, with win rates above 55% on nearly every map in the pool. Even when facing elite teams, The MongolZ tend to push matches to deciding maps, often making every round hard-fought.
Considering both teams’ recent form, map depth, and history of tight series, this matchup is highly unlikely to end in a clean sweep. FURIA may still edge out the victory through discipline and experience, but The MongolZ are more than capable of taking at least one map — especially on Ancient or Mirage, where they’ve been dominant lately.
Prediction: Handicap +1.5 (The MongolZ).