In a thrilling showdown that captured the essence of international esports rivalry, Gen.G and Anyones Legend (AL) clashed in the 2025 Esports World Cup (EWC) League of Legends final, held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This highly anticipated matchup featured the pride of South Korea’s LCK, Gen.G, against China’s formidable LPL contender, AL, with a grand prize of $600,000 on the line. The series unfolded into an intense five-set battle, showcasing strategic mastery, individual brilliance, and the sheer unpredictability that defines top-tier competitive League of Legends.
Gen.G entered the EWC final riding a wave of momentum, having secured the 2025 Mid-Season Invitational (MSI) title just a week prior in Vancouver. This made their pursuit of the EWC crown a quest for back-to-back international championships within an unprecedented short span. The stakes were high, and the teams had already met in the MSI semifinals, where Gen.G edged out AL 3-2 in a nail-biting contest. Expectations were sky-high for another close encounter, and the teams did not disappoint.
The opening set saw Gen.G on the blue side, deploying a composition centered around top laner Kim Gi-in’s (known as 'Kiin') K’Sante, paired with Maokai and Yone in the jungle and mid lane, and a potent bot lane duo of Varus and Rakan. Gen.G’s early game was characterized by precise lane control and objective dominance, swiftly securing four dragons and maintaining pressure across the map. Despite AL’s attempts to steal the Baron, Gen.G’s superior team fighting and map control culminated in an 11-5 kill advantage and a decisive first set victory at the 30-minute mark.
Set two continued Gen.G’s dominance, with Kiin switching to Aatrox and the team opting for a global initiation comp featuring Nocturne and Galio, complemented by Senna’s late-game scaling. The pivotal moment came during a dragon fight where Kiin’s Aatrox unleashed a triple kill, turning the tide firmly in Gen.G’s favor. This set was wrapped up efficiently by Gen.G in just 27 minutes, pushing them to a commanding 2-0 lead in the series.
However, AL was far from defeated. The third set marked a shift in momentum as AL’s Renekton and Sivir composition came alive. Despite conceding early kills, AL’s strategic rotations and team fights allowed them to reclaim control of key objectives like dragons and Rift Herald. This resurgence culminated in AL securing Baron and breaking through Gen.G’s defenses to claim the third set, signaling that the series was far from over.
AL continued their surge in the fourth set, leveraging the aggressive initiation of Kael’s Blitzcrank to destabilize Gen.G’s formations. The match extended to a grueling 46 minutes, with both teams exchanging blows in a tense back-and-forth. Ultimately, AL’s persistence paid off as they secured a critical late-game team fight victory, evening the series 2-2 and setting the stage for a winner-takes-all final set.
The decisive fifth set was a masterclass in high-pressure play. Gen.G selected a mobile, pick-oriented composition featuring Camille, Skarner, Twisted Fate, Xayah, and Renata. Early skirmishes in the bot lane saw Gen.G’s 'Ruler' (Park Jae-hyuk) secure a double kill, establishing early momentum. AL countered with a late-game carry comp including Vladimir, Zed, and Sylas, but struggled in the early laning phase and objective contests.
Despite a setback at the 10-minute mark when AL’s 'Tarzan' stole the chemical dragon with Zed, Gen.G’s coordinated team play and map control prevailed. Mid laner Jeong Ji-hoon ('Chovy') on Twisted Fate accumulated a gold lead exceeding 4,000, enabling Gen.G to dictate the pace. At 21 minutes, Gen.G secured a crucial ace, and Kiin’s Camille top lane continued to apply pressure by picking off AL’s Leona. The gold advantage swelled to 9,000 as Gen.G took Baron, and they decisively won the final team fight, breaking AL’s Nexus and clinching the championship.
Kim Gi-in’s exemplary performance throughout the tournament earned him the MVP title, with his flawless execution in team fights, objective control, and clutch plays repeatedly turning the tide in Gen.G’s favor. Alongside 'Ruler’s' explosive damage output, 'Chovy’s' strategic mid-lane dominance, and 'Canyon’s' jungle synergy, Gen.G demonstrated a depth of skill and tactical flexibility that few teams can match.
Gen.G’s victory at the EWC not only awarded them $600,000 in prize money but also solidified their place in history as the first team to hold both the MSI and EWC titles in the same year, accomplishing this feat within just one week. Their undefeated run through the LCK regular season, combined with these international triumphs, cements Gen.G as the current world’s strongest League of Legends team. Their 26-match winning streak in official competitions this season is a testament to their dominance.
The runner-up AL earned $320,000 and 750 club points, reflecting their status as a top-tier contender who pushed Gen.G to the limit. Meanwhile, last year’s EWC champions, T1, were eliminated by AL in the semifinals but secured third place by defeating Europe’s G2 Esports 2-0, adding approximately 320 million KRW to their coffers.
Looking ahead, Gen.G’s sights are set on the upcoming League of Legends World Championship (Worlds), with qualification already secured. As mid laner 'Chovy' stated, “The next goal is to win Worlds. This year, we want to run all the way to the end.” With their current form and confidence, Gen.G is poised to continue their reign on the global stage, aiming to complete an unprecedented treble of major international titles.
This landmark achievement not only highlights Gen.G’s extraordinary talent and teamwork but also raises the bar for competitive esports worldwide. The 2025 season will be remembered as the year Gen.G redefined excellence in League of Legends, setting a new standard for what it means to be world champions.
