Worlds 2025: AL Versus T1 – T1 Crushes LPL Hopes Again

All the odds were stacked against T1 today, despite their history at Worlds. Anyone’s Legend is a fearsome opponent that many believed would finally end T1’s control over the LPL. They nearly achieved that goal, going to five games. The series was one of, if not the best, throughout 2025. The two teams fought valiantly, pushing each other to the limit. For once, a series did not have a game decided on early mistakes. It may prove to be the series of Worlds 2025.

Worlds 2025: Anyone’s Legend Versus T1

T1 came out of the blocks swinging in game one. The team fighting was on point from the back-to-back defending champions. Faker’s Seismic Shoves were on point. The vital factor that got fans excited was the return of Keria’s dominant form.

AL bites back in games two and three. They did not allow the first loss to get them down. AL built up a lead in the second game, but nearly threw it all away by fighting in T1’s jungle. Faker on Anivia (the first time he played the champion in seven years) destroyed AL in the choke point. AL managed to recover their mental and closed out game two.

It looked like T1 would move to a 2-1 lead off the back of Faker’s Sylas. However, AL made a play and caught the LCK midlaner, neutralizing the gold lead. The fancy footwork from the AL players allowed them to dance around T1 and win game three.

With their backs against the wall, T1 drafted Kai’Sa for Gumayusi. Historically, the team has struggled to play around the champion. T1 kept a gold lead through most of the game, but AL did not go down without a fight. Gumayusi stepped up to be the carry that T1 needed to send the series to Silver Scrapes.

Game five of the series was probably the best during the Fearless Draft era. T1 stormed to an objective lead, earning the first three Drakes. After a tense standoff at Atakhan, and no smites available, Faker secured it with Mel’s Passive execute. Oner would win the smite battle to secure T1 the Hextech Soul. AL would win two fights consecutively to build up a 5k gold lead despite the soul. Faker and Gumayusi’s clutch kiting and spacing earned them a fight win near the Elder Drake. T1 secured the Elder and Baron buff. With Exodia at their backs, they ended the game and the series.

Champions Played

AL

• Flandre – Rek’Sai, Ambessa, Aurora, Mordekaiser, Aatrox
• Tarzan – Qiyana, Wukong, Jarvan IV, Skarner, Sejuani
• Shanks – Ryze, Galio, Yone, Leblanc, Syndra
• Hope – Ezreal, Sivir, Jhin, Corki, Jinx
• Kael – Braum, Poppy, Bard, Leona, Lulu

T1

• Doran – Sion, Rumble, K’Sante, Ornn, Renekton
• Oner – Pantheon, Xin Zhao, Vi, Nocturne, Dr. Mundo
• Faker – Taliyah, Anivia, Sylas, Viktor, Mel
• Gumayusi – Varus, Draven, Ziggs, Kai’Sa, Ashe
• Keria – Rakan, Nautilus, Blitzcrank, Neeko, Seraphine

Series Ratings

AL

• Flande – 6.6
• Tarzan – 6.6
• Shanks – 6.4
• Hope – 5.4
• Kael – 6.0

T1

• Doran – 6.0
• Oner – 6.6
• Faker – 6.8
• Gumayusi – 6.6
• Keria – 6.2

Player of the Series – Faker

T1 Does It Again