FaZe Clan Pulls Off Comeback, Secures StarLadder Budapest Major Playoffs Spot

FaZe Clan defied the odds at the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025, clinching a playoff berth with a nail biting 2-0 sweep over Passion UA in Stage 3’s decisive Round 5.

Both maps Overpass and Mirage went to overtime, ending 13-11 each, marking one of the most dramatic runs in recent major history. Just 12 days prior, FaZe were 0.4 seconds from Stage 1 elimination against RED Canids, surviving a botched defuse that handed them life.

This “FaZe magic” propelled them from Challengers Stage 1 through Legends Stage 2 and into the stacked playoffs at MVM Dome, Budapest.

FaZe 2-0 Passion UA (Stage 3, Round 5)

Winner advances to playoffs; loser out.  Both maps saw Passion UA mount comebacks, but FaZe’s clutches sealed it.

• Overpass: 13-11 (7-5 CT Half 1, 6-6 OT). Key Moments: broky 1v2 clutch (R4); Passion UA ninja defuses (R16-17); jcobbb POTM (41-32 K-D)
• Mirage: 13-11 (7-5 CT Half 1, 6-6 OT). Key Moments: JT ACE (R16); FaZe survives 5v3s; frozen/Twistzz shine in OT

FaZe’s Full Path: From Brink of Disaster to Playoffs

FaZe entered as a top seed but stumbled early, losing to NRG and NiP before epic survivals. Their journey began in Stage 1 with an easy 13-5 win over Lynn Vision on November 24, but they quickly fell to 0-2 after 10-13 and 8-13 losses to NRG and NiP on the 25th.

On November 26, they narrowly escaped elimination against RED Canids with a 2-1 series victory, thanks to opponents 0.4-second defuse blunder. The following day, FaZe advanced past Fluxo 2-1, rallying from 4-10 down on the decider map.

In Stage 2 on November 29, they defeated Passion UA 13-10 and Aurora 13-10 to progress (2-0), then swept NiP 2-0 on the 30th (Inferno 16-12, Nuke 16-12). Stage 3 kicked off with a 13-7 win over Vitality on December 4 (1-0 record), followed by losses to Spirit (5-13) and MongolZ (7-13), dropping them to 1-2.

They bounced back by sweeping 3DMAX 2-0 on December 6 to reach 2-2, and sealed their playoff spot with another 2-0 over Passion UA on December 7, finishing Stage 3 at 3-2.

Stage 3 Standings

Daniel Davis

Since: October 29, 2025

Hi, I’m Dan, an experienced esports journalist and author passionate about competitive gaming and digital culture. I specialize in titles like Counter Strike, Call of Duty, League of Legends, and Valorant. I’ve documented the rise of professional esports from local tournaments to global stages. With a sharp focus on player strategy, team chemistry, and the evolving industry landscape, I deliver in depth insight into the world’s most popular competitive games.

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