Fan-favourites Nigma Galaxy end their campaign in The International 2025 with a commendable Top 6 finish.

The stars no longer align for Nigma Galaxy in The International (TI) 2025, as the fan-favourite Western European squad have been knocked out of the tournament in 5th-6th place after losing to Chinese powerhouse Xtreme Gaming, 2-0, in the lower bracket quarterfinals on Saturday (13 September).

Not many expected Nigma Galaxy would even get to this point. Despite a strong start to the Group Stage with an upset over BetBoom Team in the first round, they suffered three-straight losses to PARIVISION, Team Liquid, and Yakutou Brothers–only managing to make the Elimination Stage with a win over Natus Vincere. Nigma Galaxy then secured their spot in the Playoffs by defeating Aurora Gaming in three games in the Elimination Stage.

Meanwhile, Xtreme Gaming cruised through the Group Stage as the top seed by winning all four of their matches, skipping the Elimination Stage altogether and advancing directly to the Playoffs.

The opening day of the Playoffs then saw Nigma Galaxy fall to the lower bracket after losing to BetBoom in their rematch at the upper bracket quarterfinals. On the other hand, Xtreme advanced to the upper bracket semifinals by taking down Tundra Esports. 

In day two, Xtreme suffered their first match loss of the tournament at the hands of PARIVISION and were dropped down to the lower bracket. Nigma Galaxy eliminated Team Tidebound in the first round of the lower bracket, which meant they had to defeat the last Chinese team in TI 2025 to continue their campaign for the Aegis of Champions.

Unfortunately for Nigma Galaxy, Xtreme Gaming soundly swept them in a 43-minute game one and a 35-minute stomp in game two.

With their loss, Nigma Galaxy bowed out of TI 2025 in 5th-6th place and will take home over US$130,000 in consolation. While it's ultimately a disappointing result for the fan-favourite squad, it's still a commendable effort for Nigma Galaxy when considering it's the organisation's first TI appearance since its establishment in 2019.

Meanwhile, Xtreme have guaranteed themselves at least a fourth place finish as well as over US$157,000 in winnings. With that said, the Chinese squad can't rest on their laurels yet. They still have to play in the lower bracket semifinals against the winner of the other lower bracket quarterfinals match between BetBoom and HEROIC for a spot in the final day of TI 2025.

For more information on the biggest Dota 2 tournament of the year, check out GosuGamers' guide to this year's Dota 2 world championship tournament and TI 2025 tournament tracker.

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