On July 12, 2025, at the Pacific Coliseum in Vancouver, Canada, esports fans witnessed a thrilling showdown in the 2025 Mid-Season Invitational (MSI) loser's bracket final, where T1 edged out China's Anyones Legend (AL) in a nail-biting 3-2 series victory. This hard-fought triumph marked T1's return to the MSI finals for the first time in three years, setting the stage for an unprecedented all-LCK final against Gen.G.
The match was a rollercoaster of momentum swings and intense strategic battles, reflecting the high stakes and fierce rivalry between the two teams. AL, making their debut on the international stage, came out roaring in the first set. Their bottom laner, Hope, dominated a pivotal mid-lane team fight, sweeping up kills and tipping the balance decisively in AL's favor to claim the opening set.
However, T1 regrouped in the second set, where the top lane became the battlefield that shifted the tide. Early lane swaps gave T1 a three-kill advantage, and Doran (Choi Hyeon-jun) capitalized by taking down AL's Cael (Kim Jin-hong) and Hope near a turret around the 9-minute mark. His relentless pressure, combined with Faker’s control of the team fights, culminated in an ace at 20 minutes, securing the set and leveling the series at 1-1.
The third set saw AL adapt by banning Faker's signature champions and drafting a balanced team composition featuring Rumble, Xin Zhao, and Viktor. T1 countered with a team fight-oriented lineup centered on ultimates from Ornn, Orianna, and Nico. Early mistakes proved costly for T1, as their jungler Tazan (Lee Seung-yong) suffered a disastrous Baron fight around 17 minutes, surrendering four kills. AL snowballed this advantage and clinched the third set after 31 minutes, pushing T1 to the brink.
Facing elimination, T1 showcased remarkable resilience in the fourth set. They secured the first dragon buff uncontested and then, through a sacrificial play by Keria (Ryu Min-seok), stole the second dragon, rekindling momentum. Despite AL leading in kills, the gold difference hovered around a mere 1000, underscoring the tight contest. At 25 minutes, Oner (Moon Hyeon-jun) landed a crucial ultimate with Rell, leading to an ace that allowed T1 to storm AL’s base and force a decisive fifth set.
The final set began with T1 asserting dominance early. A coordinated tower dive involving Oner, Doran, and GumaYusi (Lee Min-hyung) netted the first blood, setting a confident tone. AL fought back through objective control attempts, but at 12 minutes, Shanks (Choi Jae-o-june) was caught out in a team fight, handing T1 a significant edge. Further team fights around 15 minutes saw Faker and GumaYusi secure double kills, effectively sealing AL's fate. A desperate Baron attempt by AL at 25 minutes was thwarted by Oner's swift counterattack, widening the gap further.
With overwhelming pressure, T1 pushed into AL’s base and destroyed the nexus at 29 minutes, ending the match and eliminating the Chinese LPL's top seed from the finals. This victory was not just a win but a symbolic breaking of T1's long-standing MSI jinx against LPL teams, a hurdle that had haunted them since 2015. Historically, T1 had been a nightmare for Chinese teams at the League of Legends World Championship, boasting an undefeated 10-match streak against LPL opponents from 2013 to 2024. Yet, at MSI, they struggled, losing multiple critical series to LPL squads until this breakthrough.
T1’s comeback was fueled by a blend of strategic brilliance and individual excellence. Doran’s stable laning, Oner’s sharp jungle pathing, and Keria’s precise initiations formed the backbone of their success. Most notably, GumaYusi emerged as the hyper-carry in the final set, amassing an astonishing 15 kills on Jinx, overpowering AL’s attempts to contain him with picks like Aatrox and Olaf. Faker, the legendary mid-laner, anchored the team’s calm and focused approach, delivering clutch performances and leadership that steadied T1 through the series’ most perilous moments.
The victory also ended a three-year streak where T1 fell to LPL teams at MSI, including losses in 2022, 2023, and 2024. This win not only advances T1 to the MSI final but also sets up a historic LCK showdown against their longtime domestic rivals Gen.G, who had already secured their place in the final at the same venue. This marks the first MSI final featuring two LCK teams, a testament to the region’s enduring strength and rivalry.
Beyond the trophy, the stakes are monumental. The MSI champion earns a direct ticket to the League of Legends World Championship, and Korea’s success in this tournament could secure an additional Worlds slot for the region. For T1, this final is also a chance for revenge against Gen.G, the defending MSI champions, and a shot at reclaiming the MSI crown for the first time since 2017.
The packed Pacific Coliseum echoed with the cheers of passionate fans, underscoring the global excitement surrounding this event. The stage is now set for the climactic final on July 13, 2025, where T1 and Gen.G will battle for supremacy, pride, and a place in esports history. As the MSI saga unfolds, one thing is clear: T1’s blend of experience, resilience, and firepower has once again made them a formidable force on the international stage.
