FaZe Clan Eliminated from IEM Chengdu 2025 in Last Place
FaZe Clan's tournament run at IEM Chengdu 2025 came to an abrupt end as Virtus.pro claimed a decisive 1-2 victory in the lower bracket, eliminating the karrigan-led international squad with a 0-2 record. The loss marks another disappointing chapter in what has been a historically poor year for the organization, as they finish in 13th-16th place – a new low for the once Major winners.
A Series That Slipped Away
The series appeared competitive early on, with FaZe securing a convincing 13-8 victory on Overpass, Virtus.pro's map pick. FaZe established dominance on the CT side with an impressive 11-1 showing before converting their advantage into a convincing first-map win.
However, momentum shifted dramatically on FaZe's Mirage pick. Despite winning four of the opening five rounds, the team collapsed spectacularly, winning just one map in the following twelve rounds. Virtus.pro capitalized on this collapse to force a decisive third map, with FaZe unable to recover from their mid-series struggles.
The decider on Inferno proved equally dire. Virtus.pro's aggressive setup on the attacking side generated a 6-2 lead, and while FaZe mounted some resistance to equalize at 6-6 at the half, the defensive rotations proved insufficient after the switch. The Russians methodically dismantled FaZe's defenses for a comfortable 13-7 closing victory.
A Year of Disappointment
This elimination at IEM Chengdu represents the culmination of FaZe's disastrous 2025 campaign. The organization has compiled a consistent pattern of underperformance throughout the year, including:
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All of these results added to the organization's woes. And their failure to qualify for BLAST Bounty Fall 2025, where they were eliminated by the same Virtus.pro squad, further emphasized their decline.
Their best result of the year came from a miracle run at ESL Pro League Season 22, where, with Twistzz and rain on the roster, they finished 4th after taking down Aurora Gaming and Team Spirit, trailing only MOUZ, Team Falcons, and Team Vitality.
Looking Forward
Analyst Jacob "Pimp" Winneche has weighed in on FaZe's situation, asserting that even though people are quick to point to new signing jcobbb, he cannot shoulder responsibility or be held accountable for the team's failures. His recommendations for organizational restructuring heading into 2026 may be the most viable path forward. Winneche advocates for bringing back Rain for the Major while opting for a complete rebuild, addressing the systemic issues plaguing the team throughout 2025.
Given that the Major looms on the horizon, this elimination at IEM Chengdu does little to inspire confidence in the team’s chances. With incremental roster adjustments proving insufficient, Winneche's call for a complete restructuring appears not merely advisable but essential if FaZe hopes to restore competitive standing and mount a credible Major campaign.
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