G2 Esports Eliminate Dragon Ranger Gaming from VALORANT Champions 2025
- Tung "Ginn" Duong
- Sep 21
- 3 min read
The lower bracket of VALORANT Champions 2025 delivered another high-stakes elimination clash as G2 Esports faced off against Dragon Ranger Gaming. With no second chances left, both sides entered the server looking to prove their worth on the world’s biggest stage. In the end, it was G2 who rose to the occasion, taking a clean 2–0 sweep to keep their tournament hopes alive and send Dragon Ranger Gaming home.
G2 Keep Tournament Dreams Alive with Dominant Lower Bracket Sweep
The opening map on Lotus quickly set the tone for the series. G2 Esports came in prepared, dictating the pace with disciplined setups that denied Dragon Ranger early control. On defence, they effectively read the Chinese roster’s plans, shutting down aggressive pushes before they could gain momentum. Once the sides switched, G2’s attack was patient and calculated, often waiting for Dragon Ranger to make the first mistake before punishing with precision.
leaf was the difference-maker, putting up a massive 23/12/6 performance with an ACS of 305 and a staggering +11 K/D differential. Alongside him, JonahP and jawgemo provided consistent impact in clutch moments, ensuring G2 never lost momentum. Dragon Ranger Gaming had their flashes of brilliance, primarily through Akeman, who dropped 20 kills to keep his team competitive. However, the support wasn’t there across the board, as the rest of the roster struggled to match G2’s firepower. Despite Akeman’s efforts, G2 closed out the map comfortably with a 13–7 victory, taking a 1-0 lead in the series.
Abyss - Dragon Ranger Gaming fight back, but G2 holds firm
On the Abyss, DRG came in with a clear plan to reset after their opening loss. Early on, their improved utility coordination enabled them to challenge G2’s default setups and maintain a competitive scoreline. The first half was a tug-of-war, with DRG finding success through Flex1n and Demon1, both of whom posted substantial numbers to keep their side within striking distance. By halftime, the deficit was manageable at 7-5 in G2’s favour.
But once again, the American side showcased why experience matters at Champions. Switching to attack, G2 hit another gear. jawgemo was the standout, delivering a monstrous 23/13/9 (+10) performance with a 317 ACS and relentless entry pressure. Alongside him, trent provided consistency and clutch factor with 19 kills and +9 K/D, helping G2 close out key rounds with flawless post-plant setups.
For Dragon Ranger, Flex1n (17/15/7) and Demon1 (14/13/7) gave their best efforts, but the rest of the roster struggled to convert opportunities. Akeman, the hero of Lotus, was shut down this time, finishing with just 11 kills and a -5 differential. With momentum firmly in their hands, G2 ran away with the half, stringing together six of the final seven rounds to lock down Abyss 13-7. The victory not only sealed a 2-0 sweep but also eliminated Dragon Ranger Gaming from Champions 2025
A Tough Exit For Dragon Ranger Gaming
For Dragon Ranger Gaming, the loss to G2 Esports marks the end of their Champions 2025 campaign. Their appearance at the tournament allowed them to meet the criteria to remain within the ecosystem, but unlike XLG Esports, which secured its VCT China 2026 slot after its 2-1 victory over Sentinels yesterday, Dragon Ranger’s elimination means it will now have to fight its way back through VCT China Ascension 2025. There, they must face the top domestic challengers for the single promotion spot back into the VCT next season.
