The League of Legends World Championship 2025 has truly begun to separate the wheat from the chaff. As the Swiss Stage reached its pivotal third round, two titans emerged, demonstrating a blend of strategic mastery and raw mechanical skill. KT Rolster and Anyone`s Legend have officially punched their tickets to the coveted Knockout Stage, leaving a trail of high-octane plays and vanquished adversaries in their wake. Their early qualification sets a formidable precedent and offers a tantalizing glimpse into the competitive landscape of this year`s global spectacle.
Anyone`s Legend`s Resilient Ascent: The CFO Gauntlet
The first series to conclude with a Knockout berth was a captivating clash between China`s Anyone`s Legend (AL) and the Pacific`s dark horse, CTBC Flying Oysters (CFO). CFO, fresh off a truly surprising victory against reigning champions T1, entered the match with a narrative of burgeoning dreams. Alas, even the most compelling stories sometimes face an abrupt editor.
Game one saw CFO dictating the pace with an almost unexpected dominance. While AL secured first blood and initial objectives, CFO masterfully capitalized on team fights, particularly around the dragon pit. A passive early game exploded into a torrent of action around the 18-minute mark, culminating in CFO securing an Atakhan and an impressive four kills without response. Despite a momentary Baron steal by AL`s veteran jungler Lee `Tarzan` Seung-yong, CFO`s Chiu `Doggo` Tzu-Chuan on Corki delivered a quadra kill, sealing a 38-minute, 20-5 massacre. CFO`s “dream run,” as it were, seemed very much alive.
However, the LPL`s second seed was not to be underestimated. Game two was a stark reversal. While both teams traded blows early, AL, with focused objective control and superior team fighting, began to build an insurmountable lead. The spotlight belonged to Cui `Shanks` Xiaojun, whose Orianna masterclass (5/1/10 KDA) orchestrated AL`s 30-minute, 18-11 victory, leveling the series.
The decisive game three was a tense, nail-biting affair. Kills were sparse, with both sides respecting the high stakes. Yet again, it was Shanks, this time on LeBlanc, who proved to be the difference-maker. Securing critical early kills, Shanks scaled into an unstoppable force. A pivotal moment arrived at the 20-minute mark as AL not only claimed the Atakhan but also secured an ace, crushing CFO`s morale and momentum. Ten minutes later, AL stormed CFO’s base, closing the series 2-1 with a 15-7 victory in front of their home crowd. CFO`s Cinderella story, while inspiring, ultimately found its ending, but not without leaving an indelible mark.
KT Rolster`s Clinical Precision: Dominating Top Esports
Across the digital rift, a battle of regional titans unfolded as South Korea`s KT Rolster faced off against China`s Top Esports (TES). This was not just a match; it was a testament to the LCK`s methodical excellence versus the LPL`s aggressive prowess. In a contest that might appear deceptively straightforward on paper, KT Rolster emerged with a commanding 2-0 victory, securing their spot in the Knockout Stage with a flawless 3-0 record in the Swiss Stage.
Game one saw a familiar narrative for KT Rolster: an early game deficit. TES snatched first blood and secured three dragons by the 17-minute mark. For lesser teams, this might spell doom. For KT, it merely set the stage for their signature mid-game resurgence. Their ability to consistently deny TES Dragon Soul and execute near-perfect team fights around crucial objectives turned the tide. With the gold even, KT`s team fighting around the Baron pit was simply sublime, securing the objective and paving the way for a 28-10 victory. Jungler Mun `Cuzz` U-chan on Wukong (7/3/13 KDA) and bot laner Seo `deokdam` Dae-gil`s Corki (9/1/11 KDA) delivered standout performances, exhibiting a control that bordered on surgical.
Game two offered little respite for TES. Despite an initial first blood for TES support Fu `Hang` Minghang, KT`s superior objective control and relentless aggression proved overwhelming. Deokdam, now on Ezreal, unleashed a quadra kill at the 26-minute mark, sealing TES`s fate. With Baron and Dragon Soul secured shortly after, KT Rolster marched into TES’s base, securing an 18-7 victory in under 30 minutes. To the “surprise of many” – or perhaps just those who enjoy seeing a team meticulously dismantle their opponents – KT Rolster concluded their Swiss Stage run with a flawless 3-0, a clear signal of their championship aspirations.
What Lies Ahead: The Gauntlet Intensifies
With KT Rolster and Anyone`s Legend now enjoying an elongated, well-deserved break, the League of Legends World Championship 2025 Swiss Stage presses on. The coming days promise more high-stakes drama as teams fight for survival or an early ticket out. For TES and CFO, the opportunity to qualify is not lost, but the path will undoubtedly be more arduous.
The action resumes on October 18th with a series of critical 1-1 matches, determining who will edge closer to the Knockout Stage and who will face elimination:
- Team Secret Whales vs FlyQuest
- Gen.G vs T1
- G2 vs BLG
- 100 Thieves vs Hanwha Life Esports
These matches, streamed live on official League of Legends esports channels on Twitch and YouTube (alongside accepted co-streamers), will commence at 9 AM BST on October 18th. The stakes are higher than ever, and the competitive spirit of Worlds 2025 is reaching a fever pitch.
The early qualification of KT Rolster and Anyone`s Legend serves as a potent reminder of the unforgiving nature of the World Championship. While some teams ascend with undeniable force, others, despite their valiant efforts, find their journeys curtailed. As the tournament progresses, expect more breathtaking plays, strategic masterclasses, and perhaps, a few more surprising narratives yet to unfold. The road to the Summoner`s Cup is long, but for these two teams, the next major hurdle is already in sight.
