Reigning VALORANT Champions EDward Gaming (EDG) and North America’s Sentinels have been eliminated from VALORANT Champions 2025, becoming the first major teams to bow out after hard-fought 2-1 series losses. Their exits reshaped the competitive landscape in Paris, shocking fans who expected deeper runs.
EDG’s clash with Team Liquid started on Sunset, where Zheng “ZmjjKK” Yongkang dominated with Neon, achieving a 22/9/1 KDA and propelling his team to a commanding 13-3 win. However, Liquid regrouped on Abyss, tightening coordination and executing disciplined site hits under in-game leader Ayaz “nAts” Akhmetshin, who finished with an impressive 27/7/0 KDA. The equalizer forced a tense decider on Bind.
The final map saw momentum swing repeatedly as both sides traded economic advantages and Operator duels. Several rounds came down to micro errors, with overtime needed to settle the score. Ultimately, Team Liquid triumphed 15-13, eliminating EDG and ending hopes of a back-to-back championship run.
Meanwhile, Sentinels faced XLG Esports in another elimination thriller. After winning Abyss 13-10 through layered utility and clever retakes, Sentinels collapsed on Lotus. XLG’s triple-sentinel composition, designed to control choke points, dismantled Sentinels’ defensive defaults. Arthur “Rarga” Churyumov and Teng “happywei” Min-wei led XLG’s resurgence with heavy fragging, forcing a decider.
On Haven, Sentinels struggled against XLG’s momentum. Despite innovative setups, their opponents’ sharp aim overwhelmed them, and XLG closed the series 13-8. The loss ended Sentinels’ run, raising questions about consistency and adaptability.
With EDG and Sentinels out, Team Liquid and XLG advance to face DRX and GIANTX, respectively, in crucial decider matches. Four playoff slots remain, making every round critical. Fans now turn their eyes toward Paris, where regional pride, reputations, and championship hopes hang in the balance.
EDG and Sentinels Exit VALORANT Champions 2025
