Paper Rex cruise past XLG in group stage opener at VALORANT Champions 2025

Paper Rex kicked off their VALORANT Champions Paris 2025 journey with a commanding 2-0 sweep against Xi Lai Gaming, setting the tone for their group stage campaign.

The opening map, Bind, was initially competitive as XLG came out strong, winning the pistol round and keeping the scoreline close through the first half. However, Paper Rex gradually found their rhythm, tightening their defense and capitalizing on key rounds to secure a 13-9 victory. Moving to Sunset, PRX showed a completely different level of dominance, dictating the pace from the very start, shutting down XLG’s attempts to gain map control, and swiftly closing the game 13-5. Throughout the match, something stood out as a key performer, delivering crucial frags and consistent impact that helped tip the scales in PRX’s favor. For Xi Lai Gaming, the early signs of resilience proved they can challenge stronger opponents, but the lack of stability across the maps highlighted the work still needed to compete at this level. For Paper Rex, this victory was more than just three points in the standings — it was a statement of intent, reinforcing their reputation as one of the tournament favorites and providing a surge of confidence heading into the remaining group stage matches.

VALORANT Champions 2025 is the largest tournament in the VALORANT discipline, serving as the grand finale of the VALORANT Champions Tour that took place throughout 2025. The event brings together 16 of the best teams from around the world to compete for a prize pool of $2,250,000. It is being held in Paris, France.