BLAST Rivals Season 2 Day 1: PassionUA Upsets MongolZ, Vitality Dominates

The first day of BLAST Rivals Season 2, held on November 12, 2025, in Hong Kong, delivered thrilling surprises and commanding performances that are setting the tone ahead of the upcoming StarLadder Major 2025. Esports fans witnessed a mix of underdog resilience and titan strength as the tournament opened with high stakes and intense competition.

One of the most shocking moments came when PassionUA, an underdog team featuring a former Complexity lineup, pulled off a stunning upset against the Asian powerhouse MongolZ. After dropping the first map, PassionUA fought back to win two consecutive maps with tight 13:11 scores. This victory not only stunned the crowd but also booked PassionUA a spot in the playoffs, signaling their competitive edge and readiness to challenge the favorites.

Meanwhile, Falcons showcased their strength with back-to-back 2-0 wins over Spirit. Even though Spirit managed to push Falcons to overtime on Dust2, Falcons’ key player NiKo proved vital in securing both series victories, highlighting Falcons as strong contenders in the championship.

The Brazilian derby between FURIA and paiN also brought excitement, with FURIA overcoming an initial map loss to claim the next two maps and advance further. Players like falleN, Yuurih, and Molodoy were instrumental in turning the tide in FURIA’s favor, showcasing the talent depth in the region.

However, it was Vitality, the current world number 1 in Counter-Strike 2, who made the most dominant statement on Day 1. They faced home favorites Tyloo and defeated them in a brutal 2-0 fashion. On Overpass, Vitality scored 10 rounds in the first half and impressively closed the map without conceding a single round in the second half. On Nuke, Vitality continued to dominate, limiting Tyloo to just four rounds overall. This performance emphasized Vitality’s status as a formidable force heading into the tournament’s later stages.

The event is not only a battleground for glory at BLAST Rivals Season 2 but also serves as a crucial preparatory stage for the teams gearing up for the StarLadder Major 2025. Although early results show which teams are in form, experts caution that Day 1 outcomes do not always predict final results, keeping fans eagerly anticipating the upcoming matches.

The tournament’s schedule for the rest of the day includes several important bracket finals in Indian Standard Time (IST): Group A Lower Bracket Finals (Spirit vs MongolZ) at 7:30 AM, Group A Upper Bracket Finals (Falcons vs PassionUA) at 10:00 AM, Group B Lower Bracket Finals (paiN vs Tyloo) at 12:30 PM, and Group B Upper Bracket Finals (Vitality vs FURIA) at 3:00 PM.

While there were no direct player quotes reported from the matches, BLAST Premier’s official Twitter kept fans informed and excited with tweets praising PassionUA’s upset, Falcons’ secure wins, and FURIA’s advance to the arena.

As BLAST Rivals Season 2 continues, the mix of favorites and underdogs battling it out promises a dynamic and unpredictable path forward. Fans will be watching closely to see which teams maintain momentum and secure their place at the StarLadder Major 2025.

This tournament not only highlights the skill and strategy in Counter-Strike 2 but also reflects the growing global competition and passion in esports around the world.