Aurora oust MongolZ as PGL Astana playoffs begin

Field Level Media|published: Fri 16th May, 13:47 2025

A backlit keyboard is part of the gear online video game streamer Jordan Woodruff uses in his Gilbert home. Jordan Woodruff

Aurora Gaming eliminated The MongolZ as the playoffs got underway on Friday at the $625,000 PGL Astana 2025 tournament in Kazakhstan.

Aurora swept The MongolZ, who went 3-0 in the group stage of the Counter-Strike 2 competition, with a 13-5 win on Mirage and a 16-14 decision on Anubis.

In the other quarterfinals of the single-elimination playoff bracket, Astralis defeated Natus Vincere 2-1 while FURIA and Team Spirit posted sweeps against MIBR and Ninjas in Pyjamas, respectively.

Sixteen teams began the tournament on May 10 in a Swiss system format, with the top eight teams reaching the playoffs. All matches are best-of-three until Sunday's best-of-five grand final, with $200,000 going to the winner.

Astralis wrapped a 16-13 win on Nuke and a 13-6 victory on Ancient around NAVI's 13-8 win on Mirage. FURIA won 16-13 on Nuke and routed MIBR 13-2 on Train. Spirit won 13-8 on Train and overcame a 10-3 deficit to stun Ninjas 13-11 on Dust II.

Saturday's semifinals:

--Aurora Gaming vs. Astralis

--FURIA vs. Team Spirit

PGL Astana prize pool:

1. $200,000

2. $93,750

3. $75,000

4. $43,750

5-8. $31,250 -- The MongolZ, Natus Vincere, MIBR, Ninjas in Pyjamas

9-11. $15,625 -- ODDIK, Virtus.pro, G2

12-14. $9,375 -- BIG, paiN Gaming, HOTU

15-16. $6,250 -- GamerLegion, M80