CS2 Budapest Major Stage 2: A Tale of Dominance, Heartbreak & Surprise Stage 2 delivered breakout performances, crushing losses, and new contenders ready for the spotlight.

Dominance & Disaster at the CS2 Budapest Major Stage 2

The Budapest Major has already delivered high-stakes Counter-Strike drama—and Stage 2 featured some of the most emotional breakthroughs and biggest heartbreaks of the tournament so far. Some squads smashed expectations, while others saw their championship dreams crumble in front of the world.

Below is a full recap of what went down during four unforgettable days of CS2 action.

🐺 The Dominant Tier: Elite Teams Rise to the Top

Two giants stood above the rest during Stage 2—one expected, one fighting for redemption.

NAVI cruised through Stage 2 with a 3–0 record after wins against FlyQuest, Imperial, and B8.
- Their recent dip in form raised doubts, but the Budapest results suggest they’re regaining their bite.
- The real test awaits: Can NAVI hold up against Vitality, FURIA, and other top-tier favorites in Stage 3?
FaZe Clan silenced their critics by going 3–0 and locking in early qualification.
- Overtime thrillers and gritty defensive holds showed their resilience.
- Newcomer jcobbb proved he belongs, finishing top-3 in rating across all Stage 2 matches:
  - 1.07 vs Passion UA
  - 1.53 vs Aurora
  - 1.22 vs NiP

These performances triggered major shifts in community confidence:

NAVI jumped from 7% to 10% predicted title chance
FaZe rose from 4% to 6.6%, pushing back into the Top 8 favorites

A reminder: in Counter-Strike, reputation means nothing—your last match is all that matters.

🚀 Underdogs Earn Their Spotlight

Stage 2 wasn’t just about powerhouse teams—it brought Cinderella stories too.

Here are three squads who turned heads:

B8
- Just their second Major ever and they’re already heading into Stage 3
- Wins over Liquid, Fnatic, and 3DMAX proved their rapid growth
Imperial
- Battled through five rounds in Stage 1
- Needed only four in Stage 2 to advance with victories vs MIBR, Fnatic, and M80
Passion UA
- A young org with big ambition
- Came just one match from the brink of elimination to keep the dream alive
- Heavy pressure on rising rifler Kvem, but the team showed strong adaptability

These squads now get the honor—and danger—of facing the world’s best on the biggest stage.

💥 Crushing Collapses & Major Disappointments

Not everyone can be a hero. A few teams saw promising runs turn into painful collapses.

FlyQuest
- From 3–0 in Stage 1 to 0 maps won in Stage 2
- A 2–13 loss to NAVI set the tone for a rough exit
Astralis
- A nostalgic roster reunion turned sour
- A final-round defeat to Team Liquid sealed their fate
- Even HooXi admitted internal issues affected performance
Aurora
- Entered Stage 2 as a dark-horse pick
- Left Budapest 1–3, unable to capitalize on their strong 2025 form

Each of these eliminations hit fans hard—especially given their early-season hype.

⚔️ Strong Mid-Tier: Solid but Not Spectacular… Yet

These teams did what they needed to do—nothing more, nothing less:

3DMAX
- High-tempo, fearless CS has made them fan favorites
- Their Stage 3 chances fell short, but the future looks bright
Team Liquid
- Two early losses nearly buried them
- A late-stage recovery kept fans hopeful despite inconsistencies

Honorable mentions who narrowly missed Stage 3:

Ninjas in Pyjamas
Fnatic
M80

They’ll look to bounce back in the 2026 season.

🎯 Final Thoughts: Stage 2 Sets the Tone for a Legendary Finish

If Stage 2 taught us anything, it’s that no lead is safe and no team is guaranteed glory. Budapest has already delivered shocking upsets, breakout stars, and emotional exits—and we still have the final Swiss stage ahead.

Stage 3 will determine who truly deserves to chase the Major trophy.