The VALORANT Esports World Cup 2025 is heating up, and it’s already packed with upsets, drama, and last-minute chaos. The latest headline? Sentinels barely survive a terrifying scare against XLG, while G2 Esports are already out of the tournament—and the opening ceremony hasn’t even happened yet.

G2 Crash Out Before the Opening Ceremony

G2 Esports, who entered the Esports World Cup with high hopes despite missing star player Leaf due to health issues, have been eliminated before the tournament’s official kickoff event. With assistant coach Shaq stepping in as an emergency sub, G2 fell to Bilibili Gaming 2-1 in a tough series. Despite pulling off a solid win on Pearl, they were blown out on Sunset 13-3 and lost a close Icebox 13-11.

Shanks’ short-lived stint as the team’s watch party rep turned substitute has already ended. “Thanks G2 for allowing me to support you guys… With that being said, looking for a team,” he posted after the elimination. Ouch.

Sentinels Advance After Wild Tech Drama

While G2 are heading home, Sentinels narrowly avoided the same fate. Their match against XLG turned into a tech nightmare, with multiple pauses caused by Zecken’s PC randomly alt-tabbing during rounds. Still, Sentinels held on. They took Lotus 13-9, dropped Sunset, and then closed it out on Haven.

Even though they survived, it’s clear this isn’t the same dominant Sentinels lineup fans remember from the TenZ and Sacy days. The current squad has shown flashes of brilliance but lacks the consistency needed to dominate top-tier opponents. They’ll face DRX next in a win-or-go-home showdown.

NRG, Fnatic, and Paper Rex Dominate

While G2 stumble and Sentinels scrape by, NRG look unstoppable. They bulldozed Heretics 13-4 on Lotus and swept RRQ with a 2-0 series that looked effortless. FNS even chimed in from home: “Damn, they’re about to win a third major in 12 months.”

Fnatic are also on fire, eliminating Gen.G with a tight 15-13 Ascent win and a 13-7 victory on Icebox. Paper Rex did what they do best—dominate in style—with a clean 2-0 sweep over Karmine Corp.

BBL also impressed, taking down Sentinels and then DRX to qualify for playoffs. Their Ascent Map was a clinic in attack-side VALORANT.

The Coldest Stage in Esports?

Several players, including Alpha, Jing, and Kayak, complained about freezing temperatures on the main stage in Riyadh. With the venue’s air conditioning cranked to max, players were comparing the stage to an igloo. Let’s just say playing Icebox on Icebox got a little too real.

Demon1 Benched, Lev Restructuring

Meanwhile, Demon1, once the best player in the world, is currently doing… nothing. Lev are rebuilding with a new head coach, Desmo, and it remains to be seen what Demon1’s future holds—if he’ll return, or if a team like Envy might scoop him up if they win Ascension.

What’s Next?

As we head into more knockout games, DRX vs Sentinels is a must-watch elimination match. Other key series include Karmine Corp vs Bilibili Gaming, and potential matchups involving Edward Gaming, RQ, and Gen.G. For G2, the focus now shifts to Stage 2 and hoping Leaf recovers in time. Otherwise, they’ll need a new sub—and fast.

Keep it locked to AllValorant.gg for full coverage, daily recaps, and spicy roster drama.

Source: VALORANT News – TacticalRab

Frequently Asked Questions about VALORANT Esports World Cup 2025 Drama

Why was G2 eliminated so early?
G2 were forced to play without their star player Leaf due to health issues. Their assistant coach Shaq stepped in, but they lost to Bilibili Gaming in a 2-1 series and were eliminated before the tournament’s opening ceremony.

What happened with Sentinels vs XLG?
Sentinels won a nail-biting series 2-1 against XLG, but not without drama. Zecken’s PC kept alt-tabbing mid-round due to technical issues, causing lengthy pauses. Sentinels eventually closed it out on Haven.

Is Leaf okay?
Leaf is undergoing treatment for health complications. His doctors advised him not to travel, so he skipped the tournament. His return for Stage 2 is still uncertain.

Why are players complaining about the stage?
Several pros, including Jing and Alpha, said the main stage in Riyadh was freezing cold due to powerful air conditioning. Some compared it to playing in an igloo.

How is NRG performing?
NRG are looking dominant, sweeping both Heretics and RRQ to qualify for playoffs with ease. They’re one of the favorites to win it all.

Is Demon1 playing at the World Cup?
No, Demon1 is currently benched as Lev restructures its roster. His future remains uncertain, though there’s speculation about a potential move to Envy if they win Ascension.

What’s the next big matchup to watch?
Sentinels vs DRX is the next major elimination match. The winner advances to bracket play, while the loser is sent home.