On the morning of July 6, 2025, at the Pacific Coliseum in Vancouver, Canada, T1 delivered a commanding performance against Bilibili Gaming (BLG) in the second round of the Winners' Bracket at the 2025 Mid-Season Invitational (MSI). The Korean powerhouse swept BLG 3-0, showcasing both strategic depth and individual brilliance, and secured a spot to face their LCK rivals, Gen.G, in the Winners' Final.
The first set set the tone for the series, with T1 seizing draft control early on. BLG’s initial pick of Taliyah was met with a swift response from T1, who selected Pantheon and Orianna, signaling their intent to dominate the mid lane and team fights. Despite an early lead by BLG, including first blood secured by 'Dorando' on T1’s side and some early kills that put T1 at a 0-3 deficit, the tide quickly turned.
Key to the comeback was 'Faker' Lee Sang-hyeok and 'Oner' Moon Hyeon-jun’s exceptional synergy and decision-making. Around the 11-minute mark, a pivotal dragon team fight swung momentum in T1’s favor. 'Oner’s' Pantheon executed a perfect engage on BLG’s 'Knight' and 'Elk', while 'Faker’s' Orianna cleaned up with a double kill, shifting the kill score to 4-3. From there, T1’s aggressive and coordinated playstyle took over, winning subsequent fights around the Rift Herald and securing objectives that extended their lead to 8-4.
T1 continued to snowball their advantage, effortlessly taking the Dragon Soul and securing Baron at 25 minutes. A decisive team fight following Baron sealed the first set with a dominant 22-8 kill score in just 26 minutes and 57 seconds, giving T1 a 1-0 lead in the series.
The second set saw BLG attempt to regain momentum with a composition featuring Ornn, Xin Zhao, Viktor, Caitlyn, and Braum. However, T1 faced early pressure, falling behind 1-5 in kills due to BLG’s focused harassment on 'Dorando’s' Renekton. Yet, T1’s resilience shone through. A crucial team fight at 24 minutes, where they secured the Atacanth buff and stacked three dragons, turned the tide. This fight not only swung momentum but also allowed T1 to take control of the map, eventually securing Baron and the Dragon Soul. These key objectives effectively crushed BLG’s comeback hopes and extended T1’s lead to 2-0 in sets.
In the third and final set, BLG came out swinging, aggressively seeking fights to overturn the deficit. Early on, BLG’s 'Knight' on Aria capitalized on identifying 'Faker’s' Ryze position at level one, earning the first blood. Despite T1’s top lane Gragas picking up a kill, 'Faker’s' Ryze was caught again shortly after, illustrating the early pressure BLG applied.
However, T1’s superior team coordination and objective control proved decisive. Around the red buff skirmish, 'Oner’s' Skarner ultimate landed perfectly, disrupting BLG’s formation and helping T1 establish a gold lead. T1 pushed their dragon count to 2-0, and although BLG managed to take the red buff and destroy T1’s mid tier 1 turret by eliminating Alistar and Varus, T1 maintained control of the dragon pit, securing a third dragon stack and the much-coveted Dragon Soul.
Following this, T1 confidently initiated Baron despite 'Dorando’s' Renekton having low health. Skarner secured the Baron, and T1’s team fight execution was flawless, decisively winning the ensuing battle. BLG attempted to respond with an ambush in the bottom lane, with 'Knight' again shining, resulting in a 2-for-2 trade. Yet, T1’s relentless pressure and 'Faker’s' Ryze ultimate allowed them to swiftly rotate back to Baron, winning another critical fight and pushing through to destroy BLG’s Nexus.
This 3-0 sweep marked a significant milestone for T1. Not only did they secure a spot in the Winners' Final against Gen.G on July 10, but 'Faker' also reached an unprecedented personal achievement: becoming the first player to record 200 international wins. 'Oner' was named Player of the Game for his consistent and impactful performances throughout the match.
The victory also had broader implications for the LCK region. By advancing to the final, the league guaranteed at least one spot in the MSI final and secured an additional ticket for the upcoming 2025 World Championship, bolstering the region’s international standing. Meanwhile, BLG’s loss sent them to the Losers’ Bracket second round on July 9, where they face elimination.
T1’s triumph was a testament to their adaptability and individual brilliance. 'Faker’s' mastery of his signature champions, particularly Orianna and Ryze, alongside 'Oner’s' sharp playmaking on champions like Pantheon and Skarner, dismantled BLG’s attempts to build momentum. Their strategic draft choices, timely objective control, and impeccable team fight execution underscored why T1 remains a dominant force in international League of Legends competition.
As the MSI progresses, all eyes now turn to the highly anticipated clash between T1 and Gen.G, promising a thrilling showdown between two of the LCK’s elite as they vie for a place in the final and a chance to claim the prestigious MSI title.
