NAVI outclass Furia to secure semis at StarLadder Budapest 2025

After an underwhelming year, Blad3’s troops are ending with a bang. NAVI took down Furia in an exhilarating three map affair to win the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 quarterfinal. The international squad had already exceeded expectations at the major, outqualifying the likes of G2 and Aurora, but with their stars shining bright, NAVI are looking set to challenge for the title itself.

Team Rosters – NAVI vs. Furia

Map Veto

1. Natus Vincere removed Overpass
2. FURIA removed Ancient
3. Natus Vincere picked Mirage
4. FURIA picked Inferno
5. FURIA removed Dust2
6. Natus Vincere removed Nuke
7. Train was left over

Match Recap – NAVI vs. Furia – StarLadder Budapest Major 2025

Mirage – NAVI’s stars start off strong – 13-5

NAVI’s group stage success was built off the back of w0nderful’s success, and the Ukrainian was right at the fore once again to start Mirage. Four quick headshots from his P250 gave NAVI a pistol win, starting the series off on the right foot. KSCERATO’s Famas found a double kill on the B site defence, but five kills between b1t and w0nderful denied any chance of an early Furia round. Furia threw an aggressive top mid lean in their first gun round, and that information helped them stack the A site and earn their first round.

The stage cooled off for a minute as a tech pause was called, but yuurih helped maintain the momentum for Furia with a crucial 1v2 clutch. The scores were quickly tied up by the Brazilian side 3-3. A triple from b1t’s AK-47 allowed NAVI to maintain a lead, and broke Furia’s economy. That economic advantage allowed NAVI to extend their lead, with the half closing out at 8-4.

NAVI continued their roll on the CT side, converting another pistol round to put double digits on the board. A molody triple on the B site allowed Furia to take their first on the T side, but NAVI were right back to their winning ways after that. In a flash, NAVI secured match point, with Aleksib and makazze closing the map out with a 2v3.

Inferno – Furia barely hang on to the series – 16-13

Furia finally got off on the right foot with YEKINDAR’s entries on a B split, but NAVI’s crucial force buy immediately ripped away their economic control. b1t’s turret-like aim locked down his classic A-site position on Inferno, single-handedly shutting down an attack, before iM and w0nderful combined for two kills each on long to deny Furia again. Third time was the charm for the Brazilians as they finally cracked into A in the fifth round, and despite Aleksib’s double in response, Furia tied up the map.

From there, w0nderful’s saved AWP sparked a massive streak, as NAVI shut down Furia’s attacks for six rounds in a row to close the half 9-3 in their favor. After the break, makazze starred in the second pistol to stretch the lead to seven, but Furia answered back on the CT side. yuurih’s pit holds began to bite, and molodoy, quiet for much of the series, came alive with three sniper kills on A to finally put real pressure on NAVI, with Aleksib visibly agitated on the cams.

Furia were now fully in the game, stringing together strong defensive rounds as Fallen’s experience shone through with a huge 1v3 clutch on A to earn his team the lead. Any cracks in NAVI’s resolve would have shown there, but B1ad3’s “well-oiled machine” mantra held true as they quickly reset and battled back to match point, capped by a crisp headshot from makazze onto molodoy. Furia refused to fold, though, with Fallen and KSCERATO combining to drag the game into overtime.

It’s impossible to lose. […] Yes, we thought he’s saving, we killed everyone on long and thought “Okay, let’s take guns”, but he catched us. — iM when asked about the Fallen 1v3

In OT, Fallen continued to display his game sense, flanking NAVI’s banana attack in the opening round, but NAVI replied with a timely A pivot to stay ahead. Furia bounced back with two key rounds in a row to take a 14-13 lead in the first OT half, and this time NAVI had little left in reserve. The Brazilians carried that momentum over the line, closing the map 16-14 in overtime to tie the series.

Train – No gas left in the Furia tank – 13-3

Train had been a success story throughout Stage 3 for NAVI, and they carried that form into the quarterfinal against Furia. Three quick rounds off the pistol conversion gave them an early lead, and while molodoy’s rousing speech after Furia’s lone early round win made for great viewing on the broadcast, it did little to change the outcome in the server. b1t locked into full headshot mode, and Furia had no answers on the defensive side.

NAVI ran rampant through the trainyards, surging to an incredible 10-2 lead on the T side. Winning the second pistol only deepened Furia’s woes, turning the final rounds of the map into a mere formality. With one last triple kill from b1t, NAVI sealed a dominant win on Train and completed an unlikely quarterfinal upset.

NAVI now head into the semifinals taking on a familiar foe, FaZe. FaZe, who themselves upset MOUZ to make the top four, have levelled up across the Major. Meanwhile NAVI have gone from strength to strength to take down world number one Furia. With both team featuring four stars on peak form, the match will be an exciting affair to decide who will play in the first best-of-five grand finals in CS Major history.