T1 Worlds 2025: Demolishes Invictus Gaming, Chasing a Historic Three-Peat

T1 Worlds 2025 – Worlds 2025 wasted no time in delivering drama. In a Play-In knockout match that determined who would advance to the Swiss Stage, T1 kicked off their campaign with a decisive victory over Invictus Gaming. For T1, this isn’t just another tournament run — it’s the pursuit of a historic three-peat after lifting the Summoner’s Cup in 2023 and 2024.

Invictus Gaming (IG), the 2018 World Champions, entered as the LPL’s fourth seed with hopes of recreating past glory. Instead, they faced a do-or-die clash against the most decorated team in League of Legends history. More than a simple elimination match, this was a symbolic curtain-raiser for the Worlds storylines to come.

Legacy Clash

Few matchups in competitive League of Legends carry as much weight as T1 vs IG.

• T1 remains the face of international dominance, their name tied closely to Worlds itself.
• IG, while less consistent in recent years, still commands respect thanks to iconic players like Rookie and TheShy.

The series captured the essence of the LCK vs LPL rivalry — a clash of discipline and structure against creativity and aggression. Fans tuned in by the millions, with Esports Charts reporting over 2.5 million concurrent viewers on opening day.

Breaking Down the Series – T1 Worlds 2025

The best-of-five offered a rollercoaster of momentum swings.

• Game 1: Even laning gave way to midgame control as T1 punished IG’s overextensions. They secured objectives and closed out the opener with clean execution.
• Game 2: IG struck back. Fueled by TheShy’s laning power and Rookie’s shotcalling, they pressed T1 into mistakes around dragons, evening the series 1–1.
• Game 3: T1 responded with composure. Gumayusi dominated as the primary damage dealer, and despite IG’s creative steals, the LCK champions took back the lead.
• Game 4: IG built an early gold advantage through TheShy, but T1’s Oner turned the tide with clutch engages. They sealed the series in style, winning 27–13 in kills for a 3–1 closeout.

What could have been a nail-biter ended as a convincing reminder of T1’s ability to adapt under pressure.

Standout Performances and Key Numbers – T1 Worlds 2025

Two players in particular defined T1’s victory:

• Oner (MVP): Controlled the pace with critical objective steals and game-changing teamfight engages.
• Gumayusi: Averaged 11.5 KDA across the series, delivering consistent late-game firepower.

Other highlights included:

• Faker, steady in midlane, enabled his side lanes while anchoring teamfights.
• Rookie, despite IG’s loss, posted an impressive 80.3% kill participation.
• TheShy’s unconventional picks (including Rek’Sai and Varus) showcased creativity but lacked consistency.

According to bo3.gg, Gumayusi led in average damage (28K per game), while Oner’s 76.3% kill participation showed just how central he was to every T1 win.

What This Means for T1’s Worlds 2025 Campaign – T1 Worlds 2025

With the victory, T1 survives the Play-In gauntlet and moves on to the Swiss Stage. For the reigning champions, the win carries several implications:

• Confidence restored: After a shaky LCK playoff run, T1 found their footing.
• Global spotlight: Once again reinforcing their image as “international kings.”
• Next challenge: A matchup against FlyQuest, NA’s top seed, will test T1’s adaptability against a different playstyle.
• Bigger picture: Every step now fuels the narrative of a possible historic three-peat at Worlds 2025 — an achievement no team has ever reached.

Conclusion: The Three-Peat Dream Lives On

By eliminating Invictus Gaming with a 3–1 win, T1 made their intentions at Worlds 2025 clear. Experience, star power, and discipline remain their trademarks, while IG’s early exit underscores just how punishing the Worlds format can be.

For fans, this was more than a Play-In match — it was the first spark of the tournament’s drama. As T1 advances, one question lingers: Can they ride this momentum all the way to a third consecutive World Championship and solidify their place in history?