One of North America’s most popular teams is packing their bags. Sentinels lost to Xi Lai Gaming 2-1 in an elimination match, sending them home from VALORANT Champions 2025 without winning a single series.
The Crushing Defeat
Xi Lai Gaming proved that Champions 2025 belongs to the underdogs. The Chinese team beat Sentinels across three maps, showing better teamwork and clutch plays when it mattered most. Map scores read Abyss 13-10 for Sentinels, Lotus 13-11 for XLG, and Haven 13-8 for XLG to complete the series victory.
Sentinels opened strong on Abyss, taking their opponent’s map pick with solid defense and good individual performances from their star players. But XLG adapted quickly, coming back strong on Lotus to even the series at one map each. The Chinese squad controlled Sentinels’ comfort pick and showed they wouldn’t be intimidated by the bigger names on the other side.
Haven became the deciding battleground, and XLG left no doubt about who wanted the victory more. They dominated the first half and kept their composure when Sentinels tried to mount a comeback. The final score of 13-8 reflected complete control from the Chinese team.
happywei Stars for XLG
While Sentinels struggled to find consistent firepower, XLG got a monster performance from Teng “happywei” Min-wei. The versatile player finished with 63 kills across the three maps, playing different agents on each map but staying effective throughout.
His 1.34 series rating and 262 ACS showed complete dominance over Sentinels’ defense. Most importantly, happywei delivered in clutch moments that swung rounds in XLG’s favor. When his team needed big plays, he consistently provided them.
Arthur “Rarga” Churyumov also played a crucial role on Haven, using aggressive Neon plays to break Sentinels’ defense. His early picks and fast rotations made it impossible for Sentinels to set up their usual strategies.
Sentinels’ Disappointing Run
This elimination marks a massive disappointment for Sentinels fans. The team finished 4th at Champions 2024 and looked ready to challenge for the title this year after strong domestic performances.
Instead, they leave Paris with zero series wins and a 13th-16th place finish worth only $20,000 in prize money. Head coach Adam “kaplan” Kaplan tried to stay positive after the loss, praising his players’ effort and communication.
“XLG were the better team at the end of the day. I think the boys did a good job. I’m proud of them. The energy was really good in the match, the communication was really good,” Kaplan said in the post-match press conference.
Captain Mohamed Amine “johnqt” Ouarid echoed his coach’s sentiments, admitting that XLG simply played better when it counted. “I don’t think we underestimated XLG at all. We knew they were good opponents. To be honest it’s really hard to say right now what went wrong on Haven.”
Pick’Ems Predictions Shattered
Sentinels’ early exit destroyed more Pick’Ems predictions than any other result so far. According to Amazon Web Services data, 60.1% of fans predicted Sentinels would reach the playoffs at Champions 2025.
This massive faith from the community made their elimination even more shocking. Sentinels had favorable odds, huge fan support, and seemed positioned to make a deep run in the tournament.
Instead, they became the second team eliminated from Champions 2025, following defending champions EDward Gaming who also crashed out early. Both eliminations show how unpredictable this tournament has become.
What Went Wrong
Several factors contributed to Sentinels’ early exit. Their individual star players couldn’t match the collective effort from XLG’s roster. Maps like Abyss continue to cause problems for the North American team, despite their victory on that specific map.
More importantly, XLG came prepared with better strategies and showed superior teamwork in crucial moments. They adapted faster between maps and found ways to counter Sentinels’ strengths.
The loss continues a concerning pattern for Sentinels at international events. They often start tournaments strong but struggle when facing unfamiliar opponents with unique playing styles.
XLG’s Reward
Xi Lai Gaming advances to face GIANTX in a winner-takes-all match for the final Group A playoff spot. The Chinese team has already exceeded all expectations by eliminating one of the tournament favorites.
Their victory over Sentinels proves that preparation and teamwork can overcome individual talent and reputation. XLG played without fear and executed their game plan perfectly when the pressure was highest.
Sentinels heads home disappointed but not without lessons learned. Their 2025 season included strong domestic results and valuable experience that should help in future tournaments. For now though, their Champions dream is over, ended by a Chinese team that refused to be intimidated by the bigger stage.
Andrew "SuZki" Scola is a dedicated Valorant player who has been in the game since the Valorant beta release, achieving a peak rank of Immortal 3. With over six years of experience writing gaming content, he brings deep game knowledge and strategic insight to every article. Based in Los Angeles, California, Andrew is an active member of the SoCal Valorant community and has competed at the semi-pro level in Valorant esports. As a proud Killjoy and Raze main, he’s known for his sharp utility usage and high-impact plays—especially on his favorite maps: Haven, Breeze, and Lotus.