Photo taken on July 20, 2025 shows the grand final of the League of Legends competition between Chinese team AG.AL and South Korea's team Gen.G Esports at the 2025 Esports World Cup in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Xinhua/Luo Chen)

RIYADH, July 21 (Xinhua) -- Chinese team AG.AL finished second in the League of Legends competition at the 2025 Esports World Cup after a hard-fought 2-3 loss to South Korea's Gen.G Esports in the grand final on Sunday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Gen.G entered the final as title favorites, having recently won the 2025 Mid-Season Invitational (MSI). In the semifinals, Gen.G overcame a tough challenge to defeat G2 Esports 2-1, while AG.AL pulled off a stunning 2-0 sweep over defending EWC champion T1.

The best-of-five final saw Gen.G take an early lead, winning the first two games. However, AG.AL rallied back, claiming victory in Game 3 with a strong performance, and then battled through a tense Game 4 to level the series at 2-2. In the decisive final game, Gen.G regained control and secured the win, edging AG.AL 3-2 to lift the championship trophy.

"Today, we came back from a 0-2 deficit, fought off a match point, and pushed it to 2-2. We were so close to completing the reverse sweep. I think we've already given it our all," said AG.AL player Li "Flandre" Xuanjun after the match. "We were so close to beating Gen.G. If we get another chance to face them, I truly believe we can win next time."

AG.AL's head coach Wong "Tabe" Pak Kan expressed satisfaction with the team's performance at the 2025 Esports World Cup, noting that the squad has grown steadily since MSI. "Although we didn't win the championship this time, I believe we will do better in the future," he said. ■

Players of both teams greet each other after the grand final of the League of Legends competition between Chinese team AG.AL and South Korea's team Gen.G Esports at the 2025 Esports World Cup in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, July 20, 2025. (Xinhua/Luo Chen)

Team Gen.G Esports celebrate after winning the grand final of the League of Legends competition between Chinese team AG.AL and South Korea's team Gen.G Esports at the 2025 Esports World Cup in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, July 20, 2025. (Xinhua/Luo Chen)

Team Gen.G Esports compete during the grand final of the League of Legends competition between Chinese team AG.AL and South Korea's team Gen.G Esports at the 2025 Esports World Cup in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, July 20, 2025. (Xinhua/Luo Chen)

Team AG.AL compete during the grand final of the League of Legends competition between Chinese team AG.AL and South Korea's team Gen.G Esports at the 2025 Esports World Cup in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, July 20, 2025. (Xinhua/Luo Chen)

Team AG.AL prepare before the grand final of the League of Legends competition between Chinese team AG.AL and South Korea's team Gen.G Esports at the 2025 Esports World Cup in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, July 20, 2025. (Xinhua/Luo Chen)

Team AG.AL compete during the grand final of the League of Legends competition between Chinese team AG.AL and South Korea's team Gen.G Esports at the 2025 Esports World Cup in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, July 20, 2025. (Xinhua/Luo Chen)

Team AG.AL compete during the grand final of the League of Legends competition between Chinese team AG.AL and South Korea's team Gen.G Esports at the 2025 Esports World Cup in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, July 20, 2025. (Xinhua/Luo Chen)

Photo taken on July 20, 2025 shows the grand final of the League of Legends competition between Chinese team AG.AL and South Korea's team Gen.G Esports at the 2025 Esports World Cup in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Xinhua/Luo Chen)

Team Gen.G Esports compete during the grand final of the League of Legends competition between Chinese team AG.AL and South Korea's team Gen.G Esports at the 2025 Esports World Cup in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, July 20, 2025. (Xinhua/Luo Chen)