Elimination phase kicked off today at the Esports World Cup 2025 Dota 2 tournament, with four teams heading home.
With the first round of the Elimination Phase for Dota 2 at the Esports World Cup 2025, we would see the first set of teams packing their bags. After a tough Group Stage for most teams, the bottom two from each group began their fight. Staying alive in the tournament would mean fighting through two rounds for the initial teams. However, the second seed of each group would get the mercy of the first day.
Now, four teams have already been sent packing as we head into round 2 of the elimination phase at the EWC 2025 Dota 2 tournament.
Elimination phase sends four teams out of the EWC 2025
It was a full day of best-of-three elimination phase series at the EWC, with four teams surviving the first round. However, every single series ended after only two games, with the winning teams blasting away their opponents.
Xtreme Gaming and Execration kicked it all off in the elimination phase. The Southeast Asian squad managed to make some great showings during the Group Stage, but it did not surmount too much. The same can be said about the series that sent them home. Even with some great plays, it was not enough to take down XG.
XG’s win will now put them in a tough series against PARIVISION in round 2 of the elimination phase.
Shopify Rebellion was the next team to exit the EWC Dota 2 tournament. This came at the hands of Team Yandex (previously Cyber Goose). With some fancy footwork, Yandex marched into a Gaimin Gladiators round 2, which could be one of the biggest games of the elimination phase.
HEROIC’s journey came to an unfortunate conclusion at the hands of Talon Esports. While they had a few promising moments, it almost felt as though the South American squad gave up in game two. There was almost no contest from the team, which eventually spelled their demise. For Talon, they were happy to move on after a poor Group Stage but would now face Tundra Esports in round 2 of the elimination phase.
Related articles
Virtus.pro’s zero wins
Finally, it was Virtus.pro to exit the tournament in the elimination phase. This came after being the only team to not take a single victory during the Group Stage. With Team Falcons in their path, nothing went right for VP. Having miraculously beaten out Team Secret and Nigma Galaxy to qualify for the EWC, their tournament came crashing down with zero wins registered to their name.
For Falcons, this puts them in a crucial round 2 series against Natus Vincere, while VP exit with yet another poor showing in 2025 events.
With that, 12 teams remain at the EWC Dota 2 tournament. However, on Sunday, July 13, round 2 of the elimination phase will kick off. Four more teams will see their tournament hopes ended, while four will make it into the playoffs. There, the final 8 teams will begin their journey to become champions of the EWC 2025 Dota 2 tournament.
