The MongolZ Overcome Liquid to Reach Semifinals

Melbourne, Australia — The MongolZ defeated Team Liquid 2-1, advancing to the semifinals of the IEM Melbourne 2025 on April 25. The decisive victory was propelled by an outstanding performance from Usukhbayar “910” Banzragch, who registered 30 kills during the match.

Liquid began the series strong, dominating the first map, Anubis, with a solid 9-3 lead on the CT side. However, they struggled to maintain momentum and allowed The MongolZ to reverse the match after dropping the second map, Ancient, in a lackluster fashion.

In a thrilling finish on Inferno, The MongolZ edged out Liquid in a back-and-forth battle. After narrowly leading the first half, 910 showcased exceptional skill on the AWP, putting Liquid in a tough spot. In the final moments, Russel “Twistzz” Van Dulken made significant efforts with two crucial rounds, but 910’s performance ultimately secured the match for The MongolZ.

The final score stood at 2-1 in favor of The MongolZ, signaling their readiness for the semifinals against an unknown opponent. Liquid, while disappointed, expressed pride in their overall performance throughout the tournament, noting improvements since their previous event.

Looking ahead, Liquid will have time to regroup and prepare for the upcoming IEM Dallas, set to start on May 19.