S15 World Championship: A Fifty-Eight-Minute Battle Showcasing Resilience, GEN Triumphs 3-1 Over HLE

In the 2025 League of Legends World Championship quarterfinals, GEN overcame HLE 3-1 to reach the semifinals!

Game One

GEN: Aatrox, Wukong, Ryze, Ezreal, Neeko

HLE: Rek'Sai, Sejuani, Taliyah, Corki, Pantheon

HLE's early lane swap and coordination resulted in the kill on Kiin's Aatrox. Then, after reaching level six, Zeka's Taliyah ulted top lane to eliminate Duro's Neeko. Chovy's Ryze, after clearing raptors, moved top to kill Zeka's Taliyah. When Rift Herald respawned, HLE positioned first and their jungle-support engaged but failed to take down Canyon's Wukong. GEN took control of the Herald and chose to fight HLE directly. Kiin's Aatrox entered the fight uncontested, and GEN secured a flawless 3-for-0 victory in the skirmish.

HLE's five-man group killed Kiin's Aatrox in the bot lane, but GEN pushed mid and top lanes simultaneously, making Kiin's death not costly. GEN's two carries made consecutive mistakes, allowing HLE to catch and kill them, securing Herald control. At 22 minutes during the dragon fight, HLE grouped tightly and got caught in Duro's Neeko ultimate hitting four players. Ruler's Ezreal followed up, securing a triple kill and wiping HLE. HLE rushed Baron to try to turn the game around, successfully taking it, but their bot lane duo was left behind by GEN. At 28 minutes, HLE won a river fight in the bot lane, followed by a 3-for-3 trade in a top lane battle. At 32 minutes, Duro's Neeko initiated a fight that crushed HLE, with Kiin's Aatrox scoring a triple kill. GEN then pushed straight to win the first game.

Game Two

HLE: Ambessa, Xin Zhao, Azir, Ziggs, Poppy

GEN: Gwen, Jarvan IV, Orianna, Varus, Nautilus

At the start, Kiin's Gwen solo killed Zeus's Ambessa. Both teams swapped their top laners to bot lane, where Peanut's Xin Zhao ganked, killing GEN's top and support, but Zeus's Nidalee was traded out. Later, Kiin called for support at bot lane and killed Zeus again. At 15 minutes, both teams contested Rift Herald; Peanut secured it, and the fight ended in a 1-for-1 exchange with both sides retreating.

At 19 minutes during the dragon fight, Canyon secured the dragon, but GEN lost the teamfight badly. Zeka's Azir pushed forward and killed Ruler's Varus, leading HLE to a 1-for-4 dragon fight victory. The teams then skirmished around the Herald pit; GEN managed to take Herald and kill HLE's top and jungle. At 24 minutes, Peanut made a solo play, charging through three enemies to kill Chovy's Orianna, while HLE secured another dragon.

In the late game, both teams fought around Baron and dragon objectives. GEN took the first Baron and destroyed HLE's mid lane inhibitor turret. HLE controlled three consecutive dragons but failed to secure the Cloud Drake soul. At 38 minutes, HLE took the second Baron, shifting momentum back to them. The battle continued until the 42-minute dragon respawn, where HLE's Poppy knocked Canyon away, securing the Cloud Drake soul and killing GEN's top and support. HLE attempted a strong push but GEN's two carries defended successfully. When the third Baron spawned, HLE miscoordinated, allowing Kiin's Gwen to score a triple kill, and GEN secured Baron control.

Although GEN secured Baron, they couldn't end the game immediately. When the Elder Dragon respawned, both teams clashed in the decisive fight. GEN had vision control and kept HLE at bay. HLE, unable to safely recall for wards, initiated a fight, but Zeka was hooked and instantly killed. GEN took the Elder Dragon uncontested. The fourth Baron also went to GEN. With double dragon buffs, GEN pushed top lane in one wave, but HLE's four players caught Kiin and killed him just in time to defend. HLE managed to clear GEN's Elder Dragon buff, leading to a lull as both sides awaited the second Elder Dragon.

At 57 minutes, GEN initiated a fight mid lane, killing three HLE members. GEN pushed mid lane, with minion waves strong on two lanes. HLE's Ziggs and Ambessa couldn't hold their ground, and GEN won the match after a grueling 58-minute battle.

Game Three

HLE: Rumble, Trundle, Yone, Sivir, Rell

GEN: Sion, Skarner, Viktor, Kai'Sa, Bard

In the early 6-minute dragon contest, HLE positioned first. Although GEN arrived, they lacked damage at this point and were chased down by HLE, who secured the dragon. Later, during the raptor fight, GEN killed Peanut and Delight, giving kills to Ruler. GEN controlled three raptor camps. At 15 minutes, Rift Herald respawned; GEN took it and fought HLE in a teamfight, resulting in a 1-for-4 trade favoring HLE.

At 20 minutes, Canyon's Skarner was caught and instantly killed by HLE's focused fire. GEN's other members were chased down, and HLE secured Herald with a 0-for-4 exchange. HLE gained momentum, killed Ruler's Kai'Sa again, and took another dragon. At 27 minutes, HLE rushed Baron in the dark and successfully secured it. They then took the dragon soul and pressed their advantage in teamfights, wiping GEN and breaking all three of GEN's inhibitor turrets. Zeka and Viper led HLE to victory in the third game.

Game Four

GEN: K'Sante, Nidalee, LeBlanc, Gwen, Alistar

HLE: Rell, Nocturne, Ahri, Charmander, Leona

At 6 minutes, HLE's bot lane swapped top, where Zeus's Rell ambushed and killed Ruler's Gwen in the brush. Both teams then entered a stable farming phase. GEN controlled two dragons and three raptor camps, dominating jungle tempo. During Rift Herald contest, GEN won the teamfight but failed to secure the Herald.

At 20 minutes, HLE's jungle and support initiated a fight but lacked damage. GEN then dominated top lane, wiping HLE 1-for-5 and taking Herald. At 23 minutes during the dragon soul fight, Canyon confidently secured dragon, and GEN took the Elder Dragon soul. GEN kept pressuring Baron. At 28 minutes, a teamfight broke out; HLE's top and support died, and GEN took Baron. With double dragon buffs, GEN destroyed HLE's bot and mid lane inhibitor turrets. HLE tried to force fights but only managed a 3-for-2 exchange. After GEN's team respawned, they killed Zeka in the jungle, putting HLE on the defensive. GEN wiped HLE and closed out the match, advancing to the S15 semifinals.