CFO shock reigning LoL World Champions T1

LCP champions CTBC Flying Oyster (CFO) defeated T1 at the League of Legends World Championships 2025 (LoL Worlds).

The huge upset came after an incredibly fearless performance from the Asia Pacific team as they defeated the world champions.

LoL Worlds has now produced major upsets two days in a row.

Yesterday’s 100 Thieves’ spectacular shock victory over Bilibili Gaming was one of the biggest upsets in LoL Worlds history.

CFO’s win was a surpirse too, but it shouldn’t have been. The Taiwanese esports organisation are having an incredible year.

Heading into Worlds, CFO were one of only three LoL teams to sport a win-rate above 80% in 2025.

They are also the only team that has attended every LoL international tournament this year, after dominating Asia Pacific’s LCP.

The team are so dominant that they have not lost a series since July 17th, when they lost to Movistar KOI at the Esports World Cup.

How CFO took down the reigning LoL World Champions, T1

CFO should’ve been nervous heading into the series.

T1 (formerly SKT T1) is by far the most prestigious organisation in LoL esports with five Worlds titles, including the last two years.

Yet, CFO played with swagger. Especially botlaner Chiu ‘Doggo’ Tzu-Chuan, who confidently locked in Draven.

CFO could potentially redefine the Worlds meta as they laneswapped Doggo to the top lane to 1v1 T1’s toplaner instead of 2v2ing bot.

It worked wonders as he solokilled Choi ‘Doran’ Hyeon-jun in the early game and proceeded to snowball.

According to caster Alex ‘Nymaera’ Hapgood, this lane swap was done to counter the strong meta pick of Caitlyn as she better suits 2v2s:

“Caitlyn may no longer be a safe blind pick due to the Taeyoon Swap abusing the fact that she can’t 1v1 top lane.”

The game also saw an excellent performance from 18-year-old midlaner Tsai ‘HongQ’ Ming-Hong.

There is an age gap of over 11 years between him and the legendary Lee ‘Faker’ Sang-hyeok but he perfectly held his own.

He and jungler Yu ‘JunJia’ Chun-Chia worked together brilliantly as they shut Faker down and ensured the top lane stayed an isolated 1v1.

CFO now could qualify straight into the LoL Worlds 2025 Knockouts if they win their upcoming best-of-three versus Anyone’s Legend.

However, that will be a tall task as the LPL’s second seeds are the most in-form team at the tournament so far.

An inconsistent Summer Split saw Anyone’s Legend have to settle for China’s second seed, but they have been flying at Worlds.

Wins over LCK’s top two seeds in Gen.G and Hanwha Life Esports will see Anyone’s Legend come into the CFO series full of confidence.

Ruben Oroz
Ruben Oroz

Since: October 7, 2025

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