PaiN’s run to the semifinals of the BLAST.tv Austin Major 2025 was a massive achievement, cementing them as Brazil’s top team. While some question the strength of their opponents, paiN proved they could beat whoever stood in their way. Their young, balanced roster, led by the best Brazilian captain, Rodrigo "biguzera" Bittencourt, and sniper, Lucas "nqz" Soares, showed they’re ready to compete with the world’s best. 

A stellar 2025 season

PaiN’s 2025 season showed their potential, even before the Austin Major. They kicked off at BLAST Bounty Spring 2025, battling through the online stage to reach the LAN event. There, they finished 5th–8th, a solid result alongside giants like Vitality and NAVI. They lost a close Bo3 to NAVI, winning Nuke 13-7 but dropping two maps in overtime. This showed they could hang with Tier-1 teams.

PaiN had mixed results in recent tournaments. At IEM Katowice 2025, they lost to GamerLegion and Astralis and didn’t make it past the play-in stage. They did better at PGL Cluj-Napoca. PaiN made the playoffs but lost 2-0 to MOUZ. Both maps ended 13-11, so it was close. At ESL Pro League Season 21, they reached the main stage but only won one match, again against GamerLegion. Despite the ups and downs, paiN showed they could fight strong teams. This gave fans hope for a good run at the Major.

Roster changes: Goodbye kauez, hello dgt

PaiN’s roster faced a shake-up in March 2025 when they benched Kaue "kauez" Kaschuk, their weakest link. His poor performances, with low kills and no impact, dragged the team down. paiN briefly used academy players, which didn’t work well, before signing Uruguayan talent Franco "dgt" Garcia from 9z. Dgt is a versatile rifler who shines in both attack and defense. His aim, paired with experience alongside teammates David "dav1deuS" Tapia and nqz at 9z, made him a perfect fit. Dgt didn’t flop – he delivered steady plays and boosted paiN’s firepower.

Austin Major: No fluke

PaiN’s Major run wasn’t a surprise – they earned every step. In Stage 2, they finished 3-1, beating Nemiga, FURIA, and Lynn Vision. Their only loss was a close one to Virtus.pro. Stage 3 started badly with two losses, but paiN came back strong. They won three Bo3s in a row against Nemiga, 3DMAX, and Virtus.pro. In the playoffs, they upset FURIA 2-1 in the quarterfinals. They lost 0-2 to The MongolZ in the semis, but making the top four was a huge success.

This success wasn’t luck. PaiN’s preparation paid off. After a weak PGL Astana (12th - 14th place) due to only five days of practice post-roster change, they had three weeks to train before the Major. This time let dgt gel with biguzera, nqz, dav1deuS, and João "snow" Vinicius, creating a cohesive unit. Their Dust2 mastery – played in eight Major matches – carried them.

Why paiN’s success was expected

paiN’s semifinal run makes sense when you look at their roster. Biguzera, Brazil’s best captain, consistently leads teams to Majors and makes them competitive. His smart calls, like forcing buys on Dust2, outplayed FURIA. Nqz emerged as Brazil’s top sniper, landing clutch AWP shots across the Major. Dgt and dav1deuS, reliable riflers, hold their own with strong aim, though they lack some Tier-1 experience. Snow, an 18-year-old talent, is the question mark. Playing tough roles, like lurking, hurts his stats, and he can disappear in matches. But his youth and aggression suggest he could grow into a star if he finds consistency.

This roster – young, skilled, and balanced – fits perfectly. Unlike FURIA, who needed a Kazakh sniper Danil "molodoy" Golubenko to fill their AWP gap, paiN built a core that dominates regionally. Their ability to beat equals like Nemiga and Virtus.pro, and upset FURIA, shows they’re not just a flash in the pan. The Major semifinal, plus direct invites to the next Major’s Stage 3, proves paiN’s strength.

Conclusion

The 2025 season positions them for a top 7-10 spot in 2025. Their Major run, reaching the semifinals among teams like Vitality and MOUZ, shows they can challenge Europe’s best. With more practice paiN could become a consistent playoff team. The semifinal run at BLAST.tv Austin Major 2025 was no surprise – they earned it with a balanced, talented roster. Young core and time to grow guarantees paiN could break into the global top-7 next season. Their success is no fluke – it’s the start of a new Brazilian powerhouse.