The 2025 Mid-Season Invitational (MSI) is reaching its thrilling climax as LCK giants T1 and Gen.G prepare for a high-stakes grand final showdown in Vancouver, Canada. After a grueling lower bracket final, T1 secured their place in the championship match by edging out LPL’s Anyone’s Legend in a nail-biting 3-2 series victory, setting the stage for a rematch against their domestic rivals Gen.G.
The MSI 2025 bracket has been a rollercoaster, with momentum swinging wildly in the series between T1 and Anyone’s Legend. The five-game saga saw both teams trading wins back and forth, with each of the first four games won by the blue side. Anyone’s Legend opened strong, taking game one decisively in just 26 minutes, wiping T1 off the map and signaling that they were not to be underestimated. Wang “Hope” Jie was a standout performer, carrying his team valiantly with a 21/12/19 series statline.
But T1 was far from done. In game two, Mun “Oner” Hyeon-jun’s Lee Sin was instrumental, posting an impressive 7-1-7 KDA and setting the tone with aggressive plays that pressured Anyone’s Legend into submission. T1’s dominance continued as they built a massive 14k gold lead and evened the series.
Anyone’s Legend responded fiercely in game three, executing a flawless ace without losing a single player, led by Lee “Tarzan” Seung-yong’s jungle pressure and Chen “Shanks” Qian’s perfect Viktor performance (7-0-8). This win put them on match point and within touching distance of a stunning upset over T1.
However, T1 showed resilience in game four. Oner’s Lillia landed a perfect sleep at the 25-minute mark, enabling a clean team fight wipe and securing the infernal drake’s soul. This pivotal moment swung momentum back to T1, who closed the game confidently to force the series to a decisive fifth match.
The final game was an exhibition of T1’s prowess and composure. From the outset, they controlled every lane and objective, denying Anyone’s Legend any foothold. Lee “Gumayusi” Min-hyeong’s Jinx was unstoppable, finishing the game with a flawless 15-0-12 KDA. T1 closed out the series in 29 minutes with a commanding 29-5 kill score and a 14k gold advantage, stamping their ticket to the grand final.
Anyone’s Legend, while falling short of the final, earned a respectable third place and $240,000 in prize money, capping off an impressive run that challenged the long-standing LCK dominance over LPL teams at MSI. Their spirited performance, especially against T1, has been a highlight of the tournament.
Now, all eyes turn to the grand final scheduled for July 12, 2025, at 5:00 pm PT (2:00 am July 13, 2025 local time). The Pacific Coliseum in Vancouver will host what promises to be one of the most-watched matches of the year, as T1 and Gen.G clash for the MSI crown, a $500,000 top prize, and an automatic berth to the 2025 League of Legends World Championship.
This matchup carries rich historical context. Gen.G and T1 have faced off numerous times in the LCK Grand Finals, with Gen.G typically holding the upper hand. Yet, this is their first international grand final meeting since Gen.G’s inception. The rivalry between star mid laners Faker and Chovy adds an electrifying narrative layer. Chovy, often touted as Faker’s successor, seeks his first major international title, while Faker aims to add another MSI trophy to his legendary résumé.
The final also spotlights other key players. T1’s top laner Doran reaches his first international final, having overcome a rocky start to the season following the departure of former top laner Zeus. Meanwhile, Oner, Gumayusi, and support Keria, despite previous Worlds success, are chasing their first MSI title. On Gen.G’s side, Duro will make his international final debut, adding fresh intrigue to the battle.
Strategically, the Fearless Draft format at MSI 2025 has emphasized adaptability and depth. With previously used champions banned for the rest of the series, coaching decisions by T1’s Kkoma and Gen.G’s Kim will be crucial. Both teams have shown exceptional macro play and a penchant for dragon stacking strategies, making early objectives and team fights decisive factors. Analysts predict the series will likely stretch to a fifth game, with Silver Scrapes echoing through the arena once again.
Fan anticipation is at a fever pitch, with peak viewership for the T1 vs Anyone’s Legend series surpassing two million worldwide. The grand final’s stakes and star power promise even greater global attention. Gen.G aims to become back-to-back MSI champions, extending their remarkable 22-series winning streak, while T1 looks to capture their first MSI trophy since 2017 and equal the record held by RNG for three championships.
As the tournament nears its conclusion, the $2 million prize pool and the prestige of MSI hang in the balance. The Pacific Coliseum buzzes with excitement as esports fans from around the globe prepare to witness a historic showdown that could redefine the international League of Legends landscape for 2025 and beyond.
Whether it’s the veteran resilience of T1 or the consistent dominance of Gen.G that prevails, one thing is certain: this grand final will be a defining moment in esports history, filled with high drama, skill, and the relentless pursuit of glory.
