The MongolZ return to a big event playoffs and will play in front of their “home” crowd.
FaZe Clan will need to fight the lower bracket at IEM Melbourne if they hope to defend their Aussie title after a 2-0 (13-8, 16-13) defeat to The MongolZ in today's group stage upper bracket.
The MongolZ will play day three of the IEM Melbourne groups, but with today's win they secure a spot on the main stage in Rod Laver Arena in front of what is sure to be a friendly Australian crowd.
Adopted Aussies MongolZ defy FaZe after nail-biting Ancient finish
After a hot start to 2025 The MongolZ have been scratchy of late. The Mongolian team missed the playoffs of a big event for the first time this season at PGL Bucharest, but in Melbourne, they're back to their winning ways with straight-sets wins over Complexity and FaZe.
Ayush "mzinho" Batbold was the main caveat in The MongolZ's rout of FaZe, dominating the matchup, while under-fire sniper Helvijs "broky" Saukants faltered at the bottom of the scoreboard, out-AWPed 16-9 by opponent Usukhbayar "910" Banzragch.
At a glance: mzinho vs. FaZe
- 46-29 K/D
- 1.36 rating
- 89.5 ADR
- 4 first kills
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The MongolZ trio of mzinho, Senzu, and bLitz were unstoppable on Dust 2, converting a 7-5 deficit into a map win with eight-straight T rounds including four bomb plants.
Ancient was a closer affair. Neither team could be split after the first half, but FaZe rallied on the T side, stringing together four rounds to hold map point. The MongolZ bounced back to tie the match and force overtime, before a flawless CT triple all but ended the series.
FaZe is at risk of missing the playoffs of a big event for the third time in 2025. It's a reversal of fortune for the reigning IEM Sydney champions who have struggled after a purple patch of form in 2023 and 2024.
FaZe takes on 3DMAX in their first elimination match tomorrow; a win means they'll take on the winner of GamerLegion and Complexity for the quarterfinal slot.
For more IEM Melbourne and CS2 news stay tuned to esports.gg.
