The MongolZ demolish NAVI to make EPL semis

14-3-2025 20:24

Senzu and company will meet Vitality in the semi-final.

mzinho put up a 1.97 rating on Ancient

The MongolZ comfortably defeated Natus Vincere in two maps (Mirage 13-6, Ancient 13-6) in the final ESL Pro League S21 quarter-final to make their second Big Event top four in 2025.

The Mongolian squad will now face off against Vitality in Saturday's semi-final, with Mathieu "⁠ZywOo⁠" Herbaut and company coming into the game with a nine-match win streak.

Date	Matches
ESL Pro League Season 21
15/03/2025	Vitality 20:05 The MongolZ	Match

Natus Vincere went for their comfort pick of Mirage to start the series and began the map well by going up 4-0. Sodbayar "⁠Techno⁠" Munkhbold then pushed a Molotov to stop the plant after Natus Vincere were running out of time, with the Mongolian side winning every CT round after that bar a 4k by Ihor "⁠w0nderful⁠" Zhdanov's Deagle.

The MongolZ then won a second-round forcebuy that put them onto a path to victory, but it was far from smooth sailing for Garidmagnai "⁠bLitz⁠" Byambasuren's men. Their ability to turn around XvsX situations was crucial in their triumph and allowed The MongolZ to secure a 13-6 win despite Natus Vincere coming on top in opening duels (11-8).

The start of Ancient was marred by Natus Vincere's financial struggles, which meant the Aleksi "⁠Aleksib⁠" Virolainen-led team never had the utility to hold back The MongolZ's advances. The Mongolian side ran away to a 6-2 lead early on and kept a healthy advantage to eventually secure a statement 13-6 victory alongside a semi-final spot.

Ayush "⁠mzinho⁠" Batbold kept up his reign of terror throughout and even secured a spicy spray transfer that made Mihai "⁠iM⁠" Ivan take out his anger on the monitor and eventually finished the map on 23 kills and a 1.97 rating.

What is wrong in the NAVI camp?

While labeling Natus Vincere as a team in crisis seems like a step too far at the moment, the team is certainly not at its best. Frustrations boiled over in the group stage, and while Andrey "⁠B1ad3⁠" Gorodenskiy says that is not something to be concerned about, their body language was once again far from ideal.

B1ad3 on Aleksib-iM frustration clip: "When people argue, it shows they care"

"We couldn't find our game and groove to have more sinergy and be a step ahead. They were constantly dictating the game," the Ukrainian tactician shared in a post-match interview.

"We couldn't find solutions during the rounds. It's crucial to react really fast and fix situations, and we were really bad with that today."

Natus Vincere will be in action in less than a week at BLAST Open Lisbon, and it remains to be seen if they can find some form until then.

ESL Pro League Season 21Best of 3

Natus Vincere

Matchpage

14th March 2025

The MongolZ

Mirage

Ancient

Natus Vincere	K - D	Swing	ADR	KAST	Rating2.1
Ihor 'w0nderful' Zhdanov w0nderful	32 - 24	+4.23%	78.7	65.8%	1.07
Justinas 'jL' Lekavicius jL	22 - 28	-3.76%	65.7	55.3%	0.79
Valeriy 'b1t' Vakhovskiy b1t	20 - 34	-0.84%	64.3	65.8%	0.74
Mihai 'iM' Ivan iM	16 - 31	-7.53%	65.4	60.5%	0.67
Aleksi 'Aleksib' Virolainen Aleksib	15 - 28	-4.00%	51.2	55.3%	0.61

The MongolZ	K - D	Swing	ADR	KAST	Rating2.1
Sodbayar 'Techno' Munkhbold Techno	36 - 21	+5.94%	91.1	84.2%	1.50
Ayush 'mzinho' Batbold mzinho	33 - 22	+5.14%	91.8	73.7%	1.38
Azbayar 'Senzu' Munkhbold Senzu	25 - 21	+1.09%	88.2	73.7%	1.23
Usukhbayar '910' Banzragch 910	26 - 17	-0.14%	68.7	78.9%	1.21
Garidmagnai 'bLitz' Byambasuren bLitz	25 - 24	-0.12%	69.0	71.1%	1.04

ggez

2025-03-14 20:24

25 replies

mongolz are unpredictable, 1 game they play like the best team in the world, the next game they lose to 3Dmax

2025-03-14 20:32

16 replies

they do not lose to 3dmax man

2025-03-14 20:39

14 replies

S20 Pro League hltv.org/matches/2375357/the-mongolz-vs-.. Skyesports Championships 2024 hltv.org/matches/2373615/the-mongolz-vs-.. It has/does happen

2025-03-14 21:11

13 replies

yeah in 17 b.c it did happen now they are destroying them every time they meet them

2025-03-14 21:12

10 replies

Americans dont really understand the concept of history cuz they have none 😵‍💫

2025-03-14 21:15

5 replies

I wasn't even the one saying it ... I'm a Mongolz fan ... I've enjoyed watching them rise to the ranks that they are. They HAVE lost to 3dmax ... doesn't mean that they still do. Inference what is being said. The mongolz have a tendency to lose matches that they can win but also keep in mind, this was a studio match, not an arena match. they don't have a TON of experience in the arena and aren't always successful. They are still young. still growing. the average age on the team is barely 20.

2025-03-14 22:08

Uve been waiting to say that congrats

2025-03-15 02:35

3 replies

Wdym waiting, when it comes to americans the jokes write them selves

2025-03-15 07:54

2 replies

Another banger xD

2025-03-15 09:07

you're not wrong

2025-03-15 17:59

wachu mean by 17 tf

2025-03-15 01:45

Just a random number

2025-03-15 02:31

2017 instead of 2024, covid really messed up our time perception huh

2025-03-15 18:22

1 reply

17 b.c is not 2017 bro

2025-03-15 18:23

That was literally 6 months ago

2025-03-14 21:41

Who cares? They are officially paid by the Mongolian government to play video games

2025-03-15 03:12

you're not wrong. i still can't figure mongolz play style and we see the x-ray. i truly feel like the mongolz outplay themselves on some games. the ones they NEED to win, they can, and the ones they lose, just doesn't make sense. i can't figure them out either.

2025-03-14 21:09

Navi need Monesy

Navi is literally a tier1.5 or even tier2 team rn. They only won 12 rounds in 2 maps and that's considering they won 3 pistol rounds out of 4. It's just embarrassing.

2025-03-14 20:52

6 replies

Eh, we hate on Navi when they lose but the Mongolz are a good team ... hands down. can't argue that. Sometimes, you're just not always on!!

2025-03-14 22:06

Well they also lost to SAW earlier in the tournament

2025-03-15 00:23

NaVi lost 1 game and navi tier 2 and bla blabla...braindead clowns like you must be banned..just accept the fact that mongolz were crazy good today..infact they are a solid team

2025-03-15 00:06

Navi have been playing like crap since the end of last year if you haven't noticed.

2025-03-15 08:18

+1 but we cant take away the credit from mongolZ

2025-03-15 10:25

So G2 is tier 2?

2025-03-15 15:20

HAHAHAHAHA

*Mongolian throat singing intensifies*

2025-03-14 20:25

Actually need to start learning Mongolian. MONGOLZ WORLD ORDER istg

2025-03-14 20:34

The MongolZ tier 1.

22 replies

not yet, navi so weak right now, we will see vs spirit or vitality, we needs more

2025-03-14 20:31

19 replies

Are people actually this dumb or is this just a bait? Tier 1 means top 10 team. Teams dont have to beat spirit and vitality to qualify for tier 1 lmao

2025-03-14 20:35

17 replies

HLTV users tier 1 teams:

2025-03-14 20:37

according to you vp is t1 right now

2025-03-14 20:38

4 replies

Vp aren't top 10 though!? so what's your point?

2025-03-14 20:49

10 by hltv ranking

2025-03-14 20:55

How tf are they top 10 i didnt see them do anything since dogotronic joined... im so sad flamuz is rotting there

2025-03-14 21:18

mb not top 10 exactly, more like top 8 or top 6

2025-03-15 01:44

the new definition is tier 1 spirit, vitality, then tier 1.5 mouz, mongols and few more, and then the rest, teams 50/50, top10 is not tier 1

I get what you’re saying. Spirit and Vitality are so far ahead of the rest in the top 10 that it’s impossible to lump everyone into the same tier. But that doesn’t mean we can just redefine historical terms to fit the current competitive landscape. It’s like saying, “Well, 500 grams is 1 kilogram now” it just sounds dumb I would suggest instead of changing the definition of t1 just add a new tier above it something like title contenders etc

9 replies

t1.5 is at the gate, everyone knows it, but still not tier1, this is my personal opinion

2025-03-14 20:53

Justifying ur own opinion by saying “everyone knows it” lmao. Talking to you must’ve feel like talking to a brick wall.

Faze are legit tier 1 without a doubt and you guys will see soon

2025-03-14 21:19

not while botky is still there. he's a good 2nd caller but blud can't hit a single awp shot to save his life. or should i say his career.

2025-03-14 23:14

The AWP is dogshit and it's crazy that y'all airheads can't see it. Y'all are the same people who were saying Frozen is better than Ropz and calling for -ropz last year. Hopefully Broky leaves too.

2025-03-15 05:53

"Y'all" is such a strong word to use. find me a SINGLE THREAD where "I" said that ropz has to go. As for the awp being bad with Cs2 release, i agree. however that's not an excuse for when your "Main" Awper misses half his shots. Even senzu and ropz had more impact on awp than Botky the Main awper of mf Faze Clan, an org that's all about 360 no-scopes.

2025-03-15 13:58

Because they don't pick the awp every round. And I have seen Senzu miss shots. Their game vs Astralis in Cluj. And I am watching Torzsi miss shots right now Vs Spirit. I have seen mONESY miss sitters. The precision/accuracy of the weapon is badly nerfed.

2025-03-15 16:40

you really like to put words in my mouth huh!?. When did i say that Senzu,ropz,monesy etc.. don't miss their shots? I agree, the awp in Cs2 is bad yes,and i said that. However that doesn't change the fact that secondary awpers on other teams are better and have more impact than the "main" awper on my fav team. THAT is what i said

2025-03-15 16:54

Mongolz tier 1, EF tier 2 is that so hard to remember?

very close, if they put up at least double digits vs vitality its a fair assessment (arena chokers will have to wait though)

Anyone saying the opposite is a troll or baiter or just an annoying nitpicker

2025-03-15 02:12

expected

is jL the next FURIOUSSSS? 0.79 rating

2025-03-14 20:26

NAVI gotta be 322ing for military funding right? Ain't no way top 3 team got bodied by Asian CS in playoffs like that

navi just suck lmao

2025-03-14 20:28

'top 3 team' says who?? HLTV ranking i suppose 😆😆 Same NAVI losing to SAW.. dropping maps to PAIN, TYLOO<3.. this team is not good.

you undervalue Mongolz team-play

2025-03-14 20:36

Navi have been pathetic for months now

2025-03-14 21:05

against ukraine funding but pro israel funding im guessing?

2025-03-15 01:47

I've seen enough, Mongolz number 1 team of 2025.

At throat singing, yes

gg Mongolz

+1 igl vs -13 igl

2025-03-14 20:29

0.67 star player but no one cares unless your name is donk,zywoo,monesy,Niko,frozen,elige

wondermiss

2025-03-14 20:30

bro u must be tilted. He was the least problematic piece in this NAVI team

w0nderful was hard carrying them this series, honestly the only positive sign you can take out of it

2025-03-14 20:44

im guessing he knew they were gonna make a roster change after a supbar result this event and was playing without pressure the moment it started cristalizing that theyd prolly lose to mongolz cause he knew hed finally be out and have a break finally obv just estimation tho

2025-03-15 01:49

MY GOATS. I've seen enough, Asia will be the strongest CS region by 2026.

Huh such a hard game to watch rooting for both teams, i was so happy for mongolz that they finally beat a team supposedly above their level in playoffs of a big event and i was praying they dont choke, at the same time hoping navi delivers a comeback again, on the back of wonderful this time. Oh well, happy for mongolz hope they keep their form and finally win a tier1 tournament, too bad there wasnt crowd for them to also overcome that, hopefully next time they replicate it on stage

"I was praying they don't choke" They don't choke in studios

2025-03-15 05:55

get ready to learn mongolian buddy

no shame for losing to mzinho

I don't believe in 322 in T1 at all but matches like this one make me believe in it a little.

2025-03-14 20:33

I can believe it, my friend. There is no other explanation for this, Navi is infinitely superior to this Mongolz team. Navi entered the match without making any effort to win, that was clear

Racist ahhh comment You have seen Navi losing maps to tier 2 teams and acting like it? Nahh

2025-03-15 06:31

Lol, why? mongolz literally played perfect cs, their aim and reads were on point every time, sure navi fumbled a few kills but they lost to mongolz being ahead of them every step of the way more than anything, not navi throwing

The difference between previous H2H and result today is just too ridiculous.

2025-03-14 20:43

21 replies

they lost to international SAW, so Mongolz trashing them seems just right

8 replies

SAW at least took map of NaVi before and it wasn't 2-0 This match was complete 180 degree change

2025-03-14 21:03

7 replies

I mean, I also expected NaVi to at least take mirage and make this match closer, but they are insanely inconsistent since winning IEM Rio plus Mongolz are really good in studio tournaments

That's just a dumb argument. G2 obliterated FaZe in the group stage of the Shanghai major, just to send them home 2-0 later in the quarter-finals of the same tournament.

2025-03-15 00:34

Bad example. G2-FaZe H2H wasn't as skewed to one team before their match and it wasn't a complete blowout as 2nd map went to overtime.

2025-03-15 01:07

G2 stomped Complexity in the group stages of IEM Sydney 2023, only for Complexity to obliterate them later in the semi-finals. Upsets happen. Mongolz has already been a top team since the end of last year; it's just that their star players weren't showing up on stage in big tournaments.

You keep bringing up two match examples. I was talking about whole H2H. Mongolz have never won against NaVi before. At all.

2025-03-15 08:57

Bro, there are plenty of examples of teams never being able to beat another and then finally winning. Mouz never beat Faze once before finally beating them in IEM Rio. And yeah no shit they have never won against Navi. Mongolz has literally only played NaVi twice and one of them was a BO1 in the Copenhagen major where the map was relatively close. EDIT; Even if you include GO they've only played against each other 3 times. The last one is IEM RIO 2013 in another BO1

2025-03-15 14:09

Very bad example. FaZe-MOUZ in Rio was close 2-1 not a blowout. But nice try. You only proved my point. Why can't you just accept that is very rare to never win even a map against a team and then destroy them 2-0 to single digits all of the sudden? What's your goal here?

2025-03-15 14:17

I mean, this tournament was def not navis best, lost to saw, lost a map to tyloo, a turned on mongolz is leagues above that, but did not expect this blow out tbh

2025-03-14 21:02

Exactly. I didn't expect it either.

2025-03-14 21:06

Yeah, because Senzu's arm was supposed to stay in a cast forever.

2025-03-15 06:00

That's why I didn't talk about their last match but whole history

2025-03-15 08:59

Teams level up and others fall off. Also, everyone can see this NaVi has been dipping in form for sometime now. They barely win EPL and Rio. Bombed out of group stage in Singapore and didn't make major playoffs. That is how CS and I believe other Esports/sports work. Form is temporary.

2025-03-15 09:47

Sure but that complete turnaround was surprising to me all the same. Going from always losing against somebody to destroying completely is very rare. They can easily meet again as soon as week from now and maybe we will know more.

2025-03-15 09:53

So NAVI can lose to Saw and drop maps to Tyloo and MIBR but losing to Mongolz is where you draw the line because they beat Mongolz in Katowice, which was Mongolz first tournament and Senzu had a broken hand? You're a genius.

2025-03-15 11:34

How many times do I have to tell you? I'm not talking only about Katowice. Mongolz have NEVER won even a fuckin map against NaVi before yesterday.

2025-03-15 11:46

And where is it written that the Mongolz are doomed lose to NAVI forever? Is there an old prophecy or something? Never heard a more stupid argument in my life. Mongolz can beat EF, G2, and Liquid but they can't beat a weak NaVi because they have never won a map against them in the past. Wow.

2025-03-15 12:30

Of course. Every argument is stupid if you're making a strawman out of it. I've never said it can't happen or it's impossible only it's very rare and you're arguing as if that blowout was obvious and certain to happen. And good advice to you: Respond to what somebody said not what you imagined in the future so you won't look dumb.

2025-03-15 12:35

You keep talking about the "History" like they've been matched up against each other time and time again, but if they've only played each other 3 times before this game. One was Kato and the other two were BO1s in the Copenhagen major and IEM Rio 2023. IEM Rio was even in CSGO.

2025-03-15 14:14

Where have I ever said ' time and time again'? That's your imagination.

2025-03-15 14:21

next victim Vitality

Imo Navi fell off hard after the Imperial fe game where they simped out completely.

NaVi hasn't been the same since cadiaN beat them with a broken arm in Singapore. They didn't even make Shanghai Major playoffs

2025-03-15 06:01

blitz IGL with more firepower in tier 1.

s1mple comeback inc

wonderful was actually good this series tho lol and his teammates sucked

Let a man dream

2025-03-15 03:11

No matter the outcome, I can't wait to see this

2025-03-14 20:41

Holy cow that was dominant

I predicted it was gonna be a stomp... I guess I ended up being right.

2025-03-14 20:45

wtf iM...

His teammates didn’t do their job to put enemy on eco for him to farm give him a break

Not surprising at all honestly.The roster seems coming to its end.

2025-03-14 20:57

mongolz better in every aspect of the game, some of those shots they hit my god

-wonderfool +m0nesy

2025-03-14 21:08

in your dreams )

2025-03-15 10:32

Worst game of this Navi iteration's history, like no one wanted to play

brutal, savage, rekt

2025-03-14 21:50

The unexpected ^^,

2025-03-14 23:36

Third time's the charm, was prepared for this but it's a welcome surprise

2025-03-15 01:02

glad for mongolz gg

2025-03-15 01:50

Mongolz hitting shots and slapping and bodying Navi all over the server for two short maps straight. It was a nice watch (am saying this as a Mongolz fan, not Navi hater)

2025-03-15 02:15

mongolz lets fking gooooooooo

2025-03-15 02:47

True conquest from The Mongolz! :D

2025-03-15 10:28

PRIDE OF ASIA STRIKES ONCE AGAIN

Why are people downplaying Mongolz here, they played absolutely amazing

2025-03-15 12:38

hi mongolz, listen to me if u wanna win today. u need energy, u need to scream, u need to stand up and talk shit to ur opponent.. scream and motivate each other. dont take the zontix path. uve been too zontix in playoffs much too much, listen to me, just try it.

2025-03-15 15:27