T1 Defeat DK, Qualify for Worlds 2025

T1 Defeats Dplus KIA to Secure a Spot at Worlds 2025

The race for the League of Legends World Championship 2025 has been fierce, and T1 has finally booked its ticket after a high-stakes clash against Dplus KIA (DK) in the LCK Season Finals. Following their 0-3 loss to Hanwha Life Esports (HLE), T1 found themselves in the lower bracket with no room for mistakes. With everything on the line, the team rallied behind Oner’s dominant performances to eliminate DK and guarantee at least a play-in berth at Worlds.

DK Draw First Blood

True to their reputation, DK came out swinging in Game 1. Using a powerful Renekton–Trundle combination in the top jungle, they quickly opened the map and applied pressure across both side lanes. The team leaned into scaling picks like Cassiopeia and Corki, giving them the tools to control objectives and extend their lead. By the 29-minute mark, DK had already secured three dragons and an early Baron, closing out the first game with precision to go up 1-0 in the series.

For a moment, it looked like DK might carry their early momentum into the series, but that’s when T1’s resilience shone through.

Oner Takes Over

Game 2 will be remembered as the moment Oner completely shifted the series. Piloting Jarvan IV in a standard teamfight composition, he turned what should have been a quiet setup into an explosive highlight reel. With Gumayusi’s Sivir providing consistent damage and Keria’s Alistar setting up the engages, Oner stole the spotlight by picking up a pentakill in the game’s decisive teamfight near Baron.

The jungler ended with a staggering 9/1/11 KDA, equalizing the series and giving T1 the confidence boost they desperately needed. From that point forward, DK struggled to recover.

A Dominant Finish

T1 rode their momentum through the next two games, with Oner once again at the heart of their success. His Pantheon in Game 3 delivered a 14/1/6 performance, while his Sylas in Game 4 showcased both aggression and patience with a 10/1/7 scoreline. Every early skirmish seemed to tilt in T1’s favor, and their clean execution in teamfights left DK scrambling for answers.

One of the few surprises in the series came when BeryL locked in Rammus support in the final game. Unfortunately for DK, the unorthodox pick fell flat, ending with a rough 0/9/5 scoreline and symbolizing the team’s collapse. With a 3-1 victory, T1 ended DK’s Worlds dreams and solidified their own path forward.

What’s Next for T1 and DK?

For T1, qualifying for Worlds is only the first step. Their next challenge is Gen.G, with the winner moving straight to the Swiss stage. The loser, however, will need to battle through the play-in round, potentially facing off against the LPL’s fourth seed. With so much on the line, both squads know that boosting their rank into the top three is critical. Falling short in play-ins would be a devastating outcome for two of Korea’s most storied organizations.

The clash between T1 and Gen.G is set for Sunday at 08:00 CET, just a day after KT Rolster and HLE meet in the upper bracket final. Fans around the world will be tuning in to see if Faker’s squad can continue their resurgence or if Gen.G will once again assert dominance in the LCK.

As for DK, their season isn’t completely over. While their shot at Worlds 2025 is gone, the team will still represent Korea in the newly announced Asian Invitational (ASI). This tournament brings together the top non-Worlds qualified teams from the LCK, LPL, and LCP, running from October 6–12. It won’t offer a Worlds ticket, but it will give DK a chance to end their year on a higher note and keep boosting their international experience.

Final Thoughts

T1’s victory over DK wasn’t just about survival—it was a statement. After being knocked down by HLE, the team proved they could bounce back under pressure and reclaim their rank among Korea’s best. With Oner leading the charge, T1 now looks like a team capable of making waves at Worlds.

The journey, however, is far from over. Whether they advance directly to the Swiss stage or take the longer road through play-ins, T1’s performance in the coming weeks will determine if this boost of momentum carries them to another legendary Worlds run.

 

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