daily-fps.org – On November 25, 2025, FaZe Clan faced NRG in a crucial StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 match, which ended with a remarkable 13‑10 victory for NRG. This match was part of the Swiss round of the tournament, where both teams were seeking to maintain their 1‑0 record after winning their opening games in the group stage.
Match Details
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Map: Dust2
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Format: Best of 1
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Winner: NRG 13‑10
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Date: November 25, 2025
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Team Stats:
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FaZe Clan: 10 rounds
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NRG: 13 rounds
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Map bans:
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NRG banned Ancient, Mirage, Train, Inferno, and Nuke
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FaZe banned Overpass
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First Half: NRG’s Precision and Strategy
The match kicked off on Dust2, one of the most popular and iconic maps in CS:GO. FaZe Clan, as the higher-seeded team, started on the T side, but NRG quickly gained momentum. With great individual performances and strong team coordination, NRG took control early, winning several rounds in a dominant fashion.
Key player Sonic performed exceptionally in round 13, securing 4 quick USP-S headshots during a mid-push, giving NRG a significant advantage. At the half, NRG led 8‑7 after a commanding display. FaZe’s defense was broken down multiple times, especially as NRG’s players like xKacpersky and r1nkle exploited gaps in FaZe’s strategy.
Second Half: FaZe’s Attempt to Fight Back
In the second half, FaZe Clan switched to the CT side and started to fight back. However, the power of NRG’s attack was too much to overcome. NRG was clinical in their bomb plants and retakes, forcing FaZe Clan to fall further behind. FaZe struggled to mount a comeback, even though their top players like broky and frozen made attempts to clutch rounds and turn the tide.
In Round 16, broky (2 AKs) and frozen (2 AKs) turned a 2v5 situation into a victory with help from the bomb timer, but it wasn’t enough to break the strong defense put up by NRG. By the end of the game, NRG sealed their victory with a score of 13‑10.
Player Stats: NRG’s Rising Stars
Kacper ‘xKacpersky’ Gabara emerged as one of the standout performers, leading the team with 20 kills and 10 deaths, giving him a solid 1.67 rating for the match. Other key players like Artem ‘r1nkle’ Moroz and Rasmus ‘sjuush’ Beck also contributed with 1.37 and 1.27 ratings, respectively. The teamwork and communication displayed by NRG was critical in dismantling FaZe’s defense and securing the victory.
Player Stats for FaZe
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Twistzz (FaZe Clan): 20 kills and 14 deaths, 1.28 rating
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karrigan (FaZe Clan): 15 kills and 15 deaths, 1.08 rating
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broky (FaZe Clan): 14 kills and 14 deaths, 0.79 rating
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frozen (FaZe Clan): 9 kills and 14 deaths, 0.66 rating
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jocbbb (FaZe Clan): 8 kills and 16 deaths, 0.54 rating
Key Moments in the Game
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Round 13: Sonic’s 4 USP-S headshots secured a massive advantage for NRG, putting FaZe on the back foot.
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Round 16: broky and frozen’s heroic 2v5 clutch was a strong individual effort but not enough to change the game.
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NRG’s dominance in rotations was visible as they cut down FaZe’s attempts to retake and push.
Tactical Analysis: NRG’s Strategic Edge
NRG’s strategy centered around precision and calculated aggression, especially in how they handled FaZe’s aggression on the CT side. While FaZe was known for their power plays and quick retakes, NRG’s well-timed rotations and trade frags neutralized FaZe’s advantage.
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Map control: NRG did an excellent job of controlling Mid and A Long, key areas on Dust2. Their smokes and flashes around these areas were key to their success.
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Team Coordination: NRG played with fantastic crossfire setups, especially in retake scenarios. Every time FaZe attempted to get the bomb down, NRG’s players seemed ready to respond.
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FaZe’s Pressure: FaZe, despite being a dominant team, appeared disorganized at times, particularly when it came to executing fast plays or organizing retakes under pressure.
What’s Next for FaZe and NRG?
FaZe Clan: Reflecting and Recovering
While FaZe may have suffered an upset here, they are still one of the top-tier teams in the world. This match showed that their opponents, especially NRG, can catch them off guard if they are not careful with their strategies and rotations.
For FaZe, the team needs to regroup and fine-tune their strategies for upcoming elimination rounds. karrigan, as the in-game leader, will need to ensure that his team recovers from this loss and is ready to challenge top teams in future games. FaZe must rely on their big players, like Twistzz and broky, to step up when it matters most.
NRG: A Strong Contender
For NRG, this victory was a significant achievement in their quest for Major glory. Beating a team like FaZe—especially in a high-stakes group stage match—is a major confidence boost. They demonstrated that they have the skills, tactics, and chemistry needed to take on some of the best teams in the world.
With players like xKacpersky and r1nkle leading the charge, NRG is proving they can compete at the highest level. Their upcoming matches in the playoffs will be closely watched, as they will look to carry this momentum forward and potentially make a deep run in the tournament.
A Hard-Fought Victory for NRG
NRG made an impressive statement by defeating FaZe Clan 13‑10 on Dust2. The victory is a testament to their preparation, resilience, and tactical brilliance. FaZe, despite having strong players, failed to adjust to NRG’s strategy and lost control at critical moments in the match.
This match proved once again that in CS:GO, any team can win on any given day. As the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 continues, NRG has made it clear that they are here to stay and challenge the giants.
For FaZe, this loss is a reminder to stay vigilant, adapt, and sharpen their strategies, especially when facing rising teams like NRG. As the tournament progresses, both teams will have to regroup, reassess, and fight for survival.