Paper Rex delivered a statement win at Valorant Masters London on Tuesday, dismantling Vitality 13-3 on the map Breeze to punch their ticket to the Split stage. The lopsided victory not only keeps the Pacific squad alive in the tournament but also signals they're a serious threat heading into VCT Champions Shanghai later this year.
Dominant performance on Breeze
From the opening pistol round, Paper Rex looked in control. They won the first five rounds on their attack side before Vitality managed to get on the board. By halftime, Paper Rex led 9-3. The second half was even more one-sided: they took four straight rounds to close out the map without giving Vitality a single round on their own defense. The 13-3 scoreline is the most lopsided result of the tournament so far.
Paper Rex's aggressive playstyle, known for fast executes and relentless peeking, seemed to overwhelm Vitality's methodical approach. Vitality, a European squad that had looked strong in earlier matches, couldn't find answers to Paper Rex's pace on Breeze. The map is known for its open sightlines and long-range duels, but Paper Rex turned it into a close-quarters brawl and came out on top.
Advancing to the next stage
With the win, Paper Rex moves into the Split stage of Masters London. That's the phase where the remaining teams are divided into groups for a double-elimination bracket. The exact draw hasn't been announced yet, but Paper Rex will face another top contender from the upper half of the bracket. Their performance so far suggests they can hang with anyone.
The Split stage is critical because it determines which teams make the playoffs. Paper Rex's early exit from the VCT Pacific Kickoff earlier this year raised questions about their form, but this win should quiet some doubters. They're playing with confidence, and their map pool looks deep enough to adapt to any opponent.
Eyes on Shanghai
Beyond Masters London, this win has bigger implications. The tournament serves as a key preparation event for VCT Champions Shanghai, the season-ending world championship. Paper Rex are one of the few teams that have consistently challenged the top Chinese and EMEA squads, and a strong showing here could set them up as a dark horse for the title in Shanghai.
Vitality, meanwhile, will have to regroup. They drop into the lower bracket and face elimination in their next match. For Paper Rex, the path forward is clearer, but they can't afford to relax. The Split stage will bring tougher opponents, and every match from here on is a must-win if they want to lift the trophy in London.
The next round of the Split stage is expected to be announced within 24 hours. Paper Rex will be watching the draw closely.
