As the 2025 Worlds Main Event commenced on Wednesday, the excitement in the air was palpable as anticipated matchups began unfolding. Among the thrilling encounters, 100 Thieves emerged victorious against BiliBili Gaming. With the initial day of the Swiss Stage behind them, the 16 teams are gearing up for the subsequent matches, with those holding a 1-0 record poised to clash against one another, while teams at 0-1 will seek to recover.
Of particular interest is the upcoming match between T1 and CTBC Flying Oyster (CFO), a highly-anticipated rematch stemming from their recent face-off at MSI 2025, where T1 narrowly edged out CFO 3-2 in a gripping best-of-five series. This rivalry showcases a fascinating juxtaposition: CFO, a young and ambitious squad from the LCP, and T1, the storied Korean team renowned for its resilience in major world tournaments.
In their previous encounter, the standout moment came from Chiu “Doggo” Tzu-Chuan’s pentakill on Caitlyn, while Choi “Doran” Hyeon-joon’s remarkable performance earned him the MVP title. Even when T1 found themselves down 1-2 in the series, they rallied back with dynamic plays led by Ryu “Keria” Min-seok and the strategic guidance of Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok and Lee “Gumayusi” Min-hyeong, proving their formidable reputation.
In their opening match of Worlds, CFO showcased their prowess by decisively sweeping Fnatic, highlighted by Shen “Driver” Tsung-Hua’s dominant performance on Sion against Óscar “Oscarinin” Muñoz. The team exudes raw talent and mechanical skill, particularly with the emerging star Tsai “HongQ” Ming-Hong, the second-youngest player in the tournament, ready to face off against the legendary Faker in a showdown that may well shape his career.
T1 has demonstrated stability and consistency throughout the Play-In phase, triumphing over Invictus Gaming 3-1 and defeating FlyQuest with ease. Notably, the last time T1 suffered a loss to a Taiwanese team at Worlds was back in 2017 against ahq eSports Club, reinforcing their long-standing legacy on the global stage.
The upcoming match illustrates a compelling generational clash: the young prodigy HongQ at just 18 years of age versus the established veteran Faker, whose illustrious career has defined a generation. As HongQ steps into the spotlight, he has the chance to showcase his talents against an iconic figure like Faker, potentially signaling his own rise in the competitive arena. His excitement for this match shines through, as he expressed in a recent interview, stating that it will be “a lot of fun to lane against Faker.”
The MSI series serves as a reminder that T1 cannot necessarily be regarded as the clear favorite at this year’s Worlds. CFO exemplifies the emergence of a new generation capable of challenging the traditional powerhouses of the game. With their youth, raw talent, and ability to shake up the status quo, they present a genuine threat to their opponents. This match represents a significant opportunity for the LCP to establish its competitiveness on the world stage, signaling a more open and exciting global scene for esports than ever before.