NAVI Secure Playoff Semifinal Spot with a Dominant Win Over The MongolZ at IEM Katowice 2025

On February 4, 2025, crucial matches took place at Intel Extreme Masters Katowice 2025, determining which teams would advance to the playoffs, their starting stage, and which teams would be eliminated. One of the most exciting matches of the day occurred in the Upper Bracket Final between Natus Vincere and The MongolZ. While both teams had already secured their playoff spots, starting from the semifinals is undoubtedly better than the quarterfinals. In this article, we will provide a brief overview of the NAVI vs. The MongolZ match and highlight the key moments.

Natus Vincere vs. The MongolZ

NAVI had the first map pick and chose their familiar Mirage. From the very beginning, they asserted their dominance as clear favorites, playing aggressively. Moreover, in the previous round, NAVI had defeated the reigning Major champions, Team Spirit. "Born to Win" stormed ahead, securing the first six rounds before the Mongolian team managed to take their first point. That round turned out to be their only success in the first half, which ended in a devastating 11-1 lead for NAVI. The second half saw no miracles, as Natus Vincere closed out the game with a 13-3 victory.

The MongolZ then picked Ancient, a map where they had previously gained recognition following their strong performance at the Shanghai Major 2024. Determined to bounce back, they entered the game with high hopes. However, the early rounds played out similarly to Mirage, with NAVI securing a significant lead. The first half ended with a 9-3 advantage for the Ukrainian squad. At the start of the second half, The MongolZ finally found their rhythm, mounting a comeback to bring the score to 9-8. However, in the next crucial round, NAVI played smart, patiently executing a slow push onto the site while eliminating their opponents one by one. This strategic play fueled their momentum, leading to further round wins. In the end, Natus Vincere secured victory with a 13-9 score.

As a result, NAVI advance directly to the playoff semifinals, while The MongolZ move to the quarterfinals, where they will face Eternal Fire.