Day one of action in the IEM Melbourne 2025 Playoffs is officially finished. The crowd in Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena has lived up to the huge Aussie reputation so far, in what has been an electric event. Today, we saw two matches in the IEM Melbourne Quarter-Finals: Falcons vs. GamerLegion and The MongolZ vs. Liquid – read on to see how all the action went down.
Falcons embarrass GamerLegion
Credit: Enos Ku | ESL
On the day that it was confirmed that highly-rated GamerLegion coach ashhh had extended his stay with the team, Falcons put a dampener on the affair by sweeping them aside in two maps on the big stage at IEM Melbourne 2025. This Quarter-Final was over in a pinch, with GamerLegion only able to muster up seven rounds across two maps. Truthfully, seven rounds is kind to GamerLegion for how one-sided this was.
When Falcons have m0NESY and NiKo in form at the same time, they’re going to be nigh unstoppable. GamerLegion found this out, with the pair combining for 57 kills across the series, Beating GamerLegion is one thing, but they’ll face MOUZ in the IEM Melbourne Semi-Finals as a true test of their quality. If they play like they did today, I’d almost consider them favorites in such a tough matchup.
The MongolZ close out tight Liquid series
Credit: Enos Ku | ESL
Although Liquid were able to snatch one of the last two Playoff spots at IEM Melbourne 2025, their stay on the big stage was short-lived as The MongolZ dumped them out of the Quarter-Finals. It was a game that went down to the wire, with The MongolZ needing all three maps and almost all rounds in regulation on the map three decider to settle matters. In the end though, this was The MongolZ on the comeback trail after a few disappointing results lately, reminding us of the quality they’re capable of.
For Liquid, this result can still be seen in a positive light. Their PGL Bucharest run was a disaster earlier this month, and the strides they have taken under siuhy are clear for all to see. It’s a shame for the team that they came up against a 910 who was absolutely frying for The MongolZ, coming up huge at the exact right time for the team. Now, The MongolZ are to face a Vitality team that seems to be unbeatable of late. A tough task, but if they can somehow come on top, it would make for a gargantuan upset.