Astralis delivered another stunning performance at PGL Astana 2025, eliminating tournament favorites Natus Vincere in a gripping best-of-three series. The 2 to 1 scoreline, featuring wins on Nuke (16-13) and Ancient (13-6) alongside a Mirage setback (8-13), propels the Danish squad into the semi-finals and affirms their reemergence as a serious title contender.

From the outset, Astralis established control on Nuke, with Victor “Staehr” Staehr igniting the scoreboard in the pistol round and Nicolai “device” Reedtz delivering a crucial clutch to maintain momentum. Despite Na’Vi’s mid-round control and defensive shutdowns, Astralis clawed their way back after a pivotal force-buy win. Although iM and jL stepped up for NAVI to drag the map toward a dramatic finish, device’s late-round flank pushed the game into overtime. Astralis capitalized and closed the opener with calm, calculated play.

Staehr and Device Deliver When It Matters Most

Throughout the series, Staehr stood out as a key fragging force for Astralis. His confident peaks and sharp entries broke open critical rounds, especially on Nuke and Ancient. Device, while not always leading in kills, made his impact felt in the most important moments through clutch defuses, timely flanks, and smart economic plays that kept Astralis competitive even during pressured rounds. Their combined experience and composure under fire laid the foundation for the team’s success.

Mirage, traditionally a fortress for NAVI, unfolded as expected. Led by Ihor “w0nderful” Zhdanov, the team raced to a commanding 10 to 2 lead on the CT side. Despite Astralis pulling off some clever force-buy wins to pad the score, Natus Vincere never truly lost grip and leveled the series with authority.

HooXi’s Tactical Brilliance Shuts Down NAVI on Ancient

The decider on Ancient showcased the best of Astralis’ current identity. In-game leader Rasmus “HooXi” Nielsen orchestrated a flawless T-side, keeping NAVI guessing with constant adjustments in tempo, utility usage, and site focus. His ability to read rotations and call aggressive mid-round shifts paid off immediately, resulting in an 8 to 4 half. Combined with early-round victories in the second half, Astralis locked down the economy and momentum, finishing the map 13 to 6 and confirming their spot in the semi-finals.

This victory highlights the rising synergy within the Astralis camp. HooXi’s leadership, Staehr’s breakout performance, and device’s clutch impact form a potent trio that could carry the team to the grand finals. What was once a rebuilding phase now looks like a calculated resurgence.

With momentum firmly on their side, Astralis marches into the semi-finals as one of the most dangerous teams left in the tournament.