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Fnatic have pulled off one of the most dramatic comebacks of VALORANT Champions 2025 so far, toppling Paper Rex 2–1 in the upper semifinals despite playing without star player Emir “Alfajer” Ali Beder.

Just hours before the match, Fnatic confirmed that Alfajer would miss the series due to health issues. In his place, former Fnatic player Domagoj “Doma” Fancev was flown in at the last minute, arriving in Paris only four hours before the match began. You can read more about Alfajer’s absence and Doma’s unexpected return here.

Bind Slips Away

The opener on Bind, Paper Rex’s map pick, looked promising for Fnatic early on. Kaajak was electric on Yoru, putting up 30 kills in just 23 rounds, but PRX’s resilience shone through. A clutch 4K from something in round 21 helped secure a 13–10 win for the Pacific side, giving them the series lead.

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Fnatic Strike Back on Haven

Fnatic hit back on Haven, a map PRX had avoided all tournament. Smart play around the Yoru–Waylay composition gave them control from the start, with Chronicle sealing the half 8–4 thanks to a superb 1v3 clutch. After finally securing a pistol round, Fnatic closed out the map comfortably 13–4. Kaajak again delivered, with 20 kills across just 17 rounds, backed by Chronicle’s sharp Viper performance.

The Comeback on Lotus

Lotus looked set to break Fnatic’s hearts when PRX raced to an 8–1 lead and finished the half up 9–3. But in true Fnatic fashion, the team rallied in spectacular style. Crashies and Chronicle sparked the turnaround with a pivotal 2v4 pistol round win, setting the stage for a ten-round streak that silenced PRX completely.

Fnatic ran away with the decider 13–9, leaving Paper Rex without a single attacking round in the second half. Chronicle was the standout, dropping an outrageous 31/14/7 KDA on Viper with 246 ADR. Doma also had his moment, clutching a vital 1v2 that helped steady the team’s momentum.

A Statement Win

The victory secures Fnatic a spot in the upper final and guarantees a top three finish at Champions—their best ever result at the tournament. For Doma, it was an emotional return to the orange and black.

“I did this for him, I tried my best,” he said after the match, dedicating his performance to Alfajer. “Alfa, enjoy the semis and go win the whole thing.”

Paper Rex now drop into the lower bracket, where they will fight Team Heretics for survival and a chance to stay in contention for the title.

Fnatic, meanwhile, continue their run in Paris with momentum, belief, and one of the most inspiring comebacks we’ve seen at Champions.