Vitality vs MOUZ: A Clash of Redemption at IEM Chengdu 2025 Semifinals

Counter-Strike 2

7 Nov

Kaustavmani Choudhury

The penultimate day of IEM Chengdu 2025 brings a blockbuster semifinal. Team Vitality face off against MOUZ once again. When the two teams last met in the group stages, MOUZ stunned everyone by stealing the win, only their second victory over Vitality in their last ten encounters. This time, the stakes couldn’t be higher: a grand final berth and a chance to claim silverware just before the Major.

A Familiar Rivalry Renewed

For MOUZ, Vitality has always been their final boss. The German organization has consistently found themselves on the brink of greatness this year – always second-best, always the contender but seldom the conqueror. Their 2025 run has been as impressive as it has been heartbreaking. From deep playoff runs to silver medals at major events, MOUZ have proven they belong among the elite, but the missing piece remains that one defining title.

At IEM Chengdu, though, there’s a flicker of change. They opened the tournament by beating a declining FaZe Clan and followed it up by toppling Vitality in the groups to book playoffs early. Then a convincing win over FURIA secured them a direct ticket to the semifinals.

xertioN and Spinx Shine on the Battlefield

Much of MOUZ’s success has come from xertioN’s consistency and Spinx’s resurgence. The former’s mechanical skill has made him one of the most exciting riflers to watch, and his head-to-head duel with ZywOo in their group match was a spectacle. Together, xertioN and Spinx have turned MOUZ into a well-oiled, aggressive machine capable of overwhelming even the most structured opponents.

If they can replicate that same performance on Saturday, Vitality might once again find themselves on the back foot. MOUZ seem hungrier, more confident, and crucially, less afraid of their star-studded opponents than ever before.

Vitality’s Relentless Pursuit of Greatness

But writing off Vitality would be a mistake. The French powerhouse has been on an unstoppable run this year, already amassing nine trophies in 2025 alone. Their domination has been nothing short of historic, and they now stand just two shy of matching Astralis’ legendary 10-trophy record in a single calendar year.

Yet their air of invincibility has shown cracks. Their loss to MOUZ in the group stage and a tense quarterfinal against Astralis both revealed vulnerabilities. For a team that has rarely looked mortal, the slightest dip in form sends ripples through their camp.

The biggest concern lies with apEX and mezii. While apEX’s performance, or lack thereof, can be attributed to him being the IGL, his strategic prowess is still something to be feared. However, mezii’s cold performances have drawn scrutiny. In both of Vitality’s losses at Chengdu, the pair found themselves at the bottom of the scoreboard – a worrying trend for a team that thrives on all-round execution.

flameZ and ZywOo: Vitality’s Firepower

Vitality’s silver lining is the sheer brilliance of flameZ. The Israeli star has been in lethal form, single-handedly dragging Vitality over the line in clutch moments. His explosive rifling was pivotal against Astralis, and his confidence looks sky-high as Chengdu enters its final stretch. Pair that with ZywOo’s ever-reliable dominance, and Vitality’s offensive duo looks capable of dismantling any defensive setup MOUZ brings.

If flameZ maintains this level of aggression, it will give Vitality enough breathing room to stabilize their secondary fraggers. And in high-pressure playoff environments, that breathing room often makes all the difference.

Map Veto

Vitality will remove Ancient as their permaban, while MOUZ will strike out Dust2 first. From there, the choices will set the tone for the series.
MOUZ are expected to lean toward Train, a map where they outclassed Vitality 13-3 in their previous encounter.
Vitality, on the other hand, will likely gravitate toward Nuke, historically one of their better picks and a weaker map for MOUZ.
In the second ban phase, MOUZ are likely to remove Overpass.
That leaves Vitality to choose between removing Inferno or Mirage. Given their struggles on Inferno against MOUZ last time, they might take that out.
Thus, leaving Mirage as the potential decider, a map where Vitality seems to be doing better than MOUZ.

Prediction

MOUZ may have won the battle earlier in Chengdu, but history favors Vitality when it comes to playoff pressure. Their experience, composure, and raw talent often shine brightest when everything is on the line. Expect a fiercely contested series, with both teams trading blows in a three-map thriller.

Prediction: Vitality 2-1 MOUZ

As IEM Chengdu reaches its climax, this semifinal feels like destiny revisited: one team searching for validation, the other chasing legacy. Whatever the outcome, fans can expect fireworks, frag highlights, and a semifinal worthy of the stage.

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Featured Image Credit: ESL