PaiN Gaming's Cinderella Run Meets The MongolZ at the Austin Major 2025 Semifinal

21 Jun

Thales Costa

The BLAST.tv Austin Major 2025 semifinals are here and they're looking wild. This Major has been full of surprises and upsets from day one, and tomorrow will not be different as paiN Gaming's historic run meets The MongolZ's title aspirations.

On one side stands paiN Gaming, the Brazilian underdogs who have defied all expectations to reach their first Major semifinal. On the other, The MongolZ, the Asian squad that has established itself as a legitimate threat to the world's elite teams throughout 2025, specially after beating FaZe Clan by 2-0 in the quarterfinals.

paiN Gaming – The Brazilian Dream

Few could have predicted that paiN Gaming would find themselves just two matches away from Major glory. The Brazilian squad has embodied the spirit of their nation's Counter-Strike heritage with passionate and fearless gameplay that has captured the hearts of fans all over the world.

Their quarterfinal victory over FURIA was nothing short of a demonstration of their resilience. After losing the opening map (Nuke) by 6-13, paiN showed incredible mental fortitude to bounce back on Anubis (13-8) before delivering a masterful comeback on Inferno. The last map started with paiN losing by 1-7, but the Brazilians managed to claw their way back all the way to an overtime, winning four consecutive rounds to secure their historic semifinal spot.

Nqz emerged as a hero in the match, delivering 56 kills across the three maps with an ADR of 81.8. His clutch performances on the second and third maps were crucial for paiN's comeback victory. The Brazilian roster of dgt, biguzera, dav1deuS, nqz, and snow has shown remarkable chemistry and resilience throughout their Austin Major campaign.

The MongolZ – Asian Counter-Strike's Crown Jewel

The MongolZ represent the pinnacle of Asian Counter-Strike excellence. They have evolved from regional wildcards into consistent title contenders. Their 2025 campaign has been remarkable, reaching the numerous semifinals, including IEM Katowice, ESL Pro League Season 21, IEM Melbourne, and IEM Dallas.

What makes The MongolZ particularly dangerous is their transformation from the unpredictable underdogs into a methodical, elite-level team. They've proven capable of dismantling many top-tier teams and forcing them into uncomfortable positions on a consistent basis. Their roster of 910, bLitz, Techno4k, mzinho, and Senzu has developed into a well-oiled machine that combines individual power and tactical brilliance.

The Mongolian squad's path to the semifinals included a thrilling rematch victory over FaZe Clan in the quarterfinals, avenging their earlier Stage 3 defeat to karrigan's team. This victory demonstrated their ability to learn from setbacks and adjust their gameplay when it matters most.

Head-to-Head Analysis

This semifinal marks the first-ever meeting between these two teams, adding an element of unpredictability to an already fascinating matchup. The MongolZ enter as heavy favorites, with Strafe users predicting them to win with 62.5% of the votes compared to paiN's 37.5%.

Both teams arrive in excellent form, each having won 4 of their last 5 matches. However, The MongolZ's experience at this level of competition gives them a crucial advantage. Their multiple semifinal appearances in 2025 have prepared them for high-pressure situations, while this represents uncharted territory for the Brazilian squad.

Map Predictions and Veto Analysis

Expected Bans: paiN Gaming will likely target Ancient and Mirage early, as The MongolZ hold a 63% win rate on Ancient and 65% on Mirage. The MongolZ may ban Inferno and potentially Nuke, maps where paiN showed strength in their quarterfinal victory over FURIA.

Potential Picks: The MongolZ will favor Ancient or Mirage for their comfort picks, while paiN Gaming may opt for Dust2 or Anubis, where they secured their crucial comeback against FURIA.

Decider Map: If the series reaches three maps, expect Inferno or Nuke as the decider. Both teams have proven themselves on these battlegrounds, though The MongolZ's experience throughout 2025 may prove decisive in high-pressure moments.

The Stakes

For paiN Gaming, this semifinal represents the culmination of years of hard work and the realization of Brazilian Counter-Strike dreams. A victory would not only secure their place in the Grand Final but also reassure their status as one of the greatest underdog stories in Major history.

For The MongolZ, this match is another step toward their ultimate goal: lifting a Major trophy. Having consistently reached the semifinals throughout 2025, they understand that this tournament represents their best opportunity to break through and claim their first Major title.

The winner will advance to face either MOUZ or Team Vitality in what promises to be an epic Grand Final showdown. Both teams know that this semifinal clash could define their legacies in Counter-Strike history.

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Feature image credit: Blast.tv

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