The second day of the League of Legends Worlds 2025 Swiss Stage delivered its fair share of drama, upsets, and jaw-dropping performances, but none stood out more than CTBC Flying Oyster’s (CFO) astonishing victory over T1. The matchup, expected by many to be a routine win for the reigning world champions, quickly turned into a showcase of bold strategy, fearless execution, and the ever-present potential for surprises in the best-of-one format. With eight matches played on October 16, fans and analysts alike were left buzzing about the shifting landscape of this year’s tournament.
Heading into the day, T1 and CFO both boasted 1-0 records, having dispatched FlyQuest and Fnatic, respectively, in their opening games. The anticipation for this clash was palpable—T1, the LCK powerhouse and 2024 Worlds champions, were the betting favorites, with odds stacked at 1.30 compared to CFO’s 3.50. Yet, as seasoned fans know, League of Legends on the world stage rarely goes according to script.
From the opening draft, CFO signaled their intent to shake things up. Their picks—Sion, Qiyana, Ryze, Draven, and Alistar—stood in stark contrast to T1’s more conventional lineup of Rek’Sai, Vi, Cassiopeia, Caitlyn, and Neeko. The real eyebrow-raiser was Chiu ‘Doggo’ Tzu-Chuan’s Draven in the top lane, a move that would quickly pay dividends. According to multiple sources, “Doggo’s Draven gained a huge amount of experience and gold, which quickly became a major problem for T1.”
The match’s early minutes were tense but even, as both teams probed for weaknesses. However, it was the lane swap—a calculated move that sent Draven to the top lane against Choi ‘Doran’ Hyeon-jun’s Rek’Sai—that tipped the balance. Doggo wasted no time asserting dominance, securing an early solo kill and setting the tone for what would become a relentless assault. As one report put it, “The highly unusual pick was immediately successful, as the Taiwanese player went straight for Doran’s throat in the top lane, securing an early kill.”
With Draven snowballing, the rest of CFO rallied behind their star, executing a fast and precise game plan that left T1 scrambling. HongQ’s Ryze and JunJia’s Qiyana exerted constant pressure in the mid lane, even catching out the legendary Lee ‘Faker’ Sang-hyeok, who found himself down 0/2/1 early on. “CFO played with relentless aggression throughout,” one analysis observed, and their map control only grew stronger as the minutes ticked by.
T1, known for their ability to adapt and mount comebacks, tried to stem the bleeding. Their early game, typically a strength, faltered as CFO anticipated their every move. The pivotal moment arrived around the Baron pit: T1, desperate to deny CFO the game-clinching objective, attempted a contest. But CFO were ready, flanking support player Keria and forcing Oner into a panicked response that ended in his death. The play “led to his death. Oner struggled throughout the contest, with questionable decision-making throughout, but CFO were flawless to a man as they took the victory in 32 minutes.”
The stats told the story of a team effort: four CFO players finished with 10 or more assists, while JunJia and Doggo stood out as the match’s most impactful contributors. Doggo’s final line—6/0/12—underscored just how much havoc he wreaked, and JunJia’s Qiyana was described as “imperial,” securing key picks and controlling teamfights.
For CFO, this win was more than just an upset—it was historic. Not only did they hand the LCK its first loss at Worlds 2025, but they also became the first LCP team to start 2-0 at a Worlds event. Their momentum from a dominant domestic season, capped by a 5th-6th place finish at MSI 2025, has clearly carried over to the international stage. As one commentator put it, “CFO continue to confirm their status as a top-tier team this year.” With just one best-of-three victory separating them from the Knockout Stage and three opportunities to clinch it, the Asia-Pacific squad is now the talk of Shanghai.
The Swiss Stage itself is a gauntlet: sixteen teams compete in five rounds, with three wins securing advancement and three losses spelling elimination. Advancement and elimination matches use a best-of-three format with the Fearless Draft system, while all other matches are best-of-one, raising the stakes for every move and every draft. As the dust settled on day two, four teams—Anyone’s Legend, CFO, KT Rolster, and Top Esports—sat at 2-0, just a step away from the next phase. Meanwhile, teams like T1, G2, Hanwha Life, and FlyQuest found themselves in the crowded 1-1 bracket, where a single slip could mean disaster.
The day wasn’t short on other storylines. The LPL region celebrated a perfect run, with Top Esports, Anyone’s Legend, and Bilibili Gaming all notching victories. Bilibili’s win over Fnatic handed the European squad its second loss, while Hanwha Life bounced back to defeat PSG LGD, pushing the latter to the brink of elimination. Secret Whales fell to KT Rolster, G2 dominated KOI, and FlyQuest triumphed over Keyd Stars in a rematch of the LTA final.
Yet it was CFO’s triumph that stole the headlines. The upset was so unexpected that even pre-match betting tips, which favored T1 but acknowledged CFO’s potential, seemed almost prophetic. Analysts noted that “T1 usually isn’t as strong in best-of-one games, which may give CFO a chance to catch the LCK team by surprise.” The odds may have favored T1, but the game’s outcome was a testament to the unpredictability and excitement that defines Worlds.
For T1, the loss is a wake-up call. Their path to the Knockout Stage is still open, but the margin for error has shrunk. They now share the 1-1 bracket with other heavyweights, and the competition only intensifies from here. For CFO, the victory cements their place as the breakout story of Worlds 2025—a team unafraid to innovate, undaunted by reputation, and ready to take on the world’s best.
As the Swiss Stage barrels toward its conclusion, fans can only wonder what surprises await. If day two was any indication, the road to the Mercedes-Benz Arena will be paved with bold plays, fearless drafts, and unforgettable moments.
