Champions Trophy 2025 qualification scenarios: How can England qualify for the semifinals after their 5-wicket loss to Australia?

England suffered a shocking defeat in their 2025 Champions Trophy opener against Australia in Lahore on February 22. The loss severely dented England's chance of finishing in the top two of Group A and qualifying for the semifinals.

Before looking at how they can bounce back and qualify for the final four, here is a quick recap of the contest against Australia. Having lost the toss and being asked to bat first, Jos Buttler's Men produced a sublime display to post a massive 351/8 in 50 overs.

It was the highest team score in Champions Trophy history and England looked to be on course for a winning start. However, their bowling woes haunted them yet again. The Aussies, despite being reduced to 136 for four in their run-chase, achieved the target in style with five wickets and 15 balls to spare. Ben Duckett's brilliant 143-ball 165 earlier in the day was outdone by a scintillating 86-ball 120* from Josh Inglis.

England's semifinal chances after this devastating loss in a tournament where all four teams in the group play only three matches are bleak. However, all is not lost just yet should England win their next two outings against Afghanistan and South Africa.

Much will still depend on other results. However, by winning their next two games, England will ensure they finish above Afghanistan. This will put them in either a three-way tie with South Africa and Australia (with Net run rate being the decider). They could also qualify directly should Australia beat South Africa.

There is a small window for England to qualify even if they only win out of their remaining two group-stage games. However, for that to happen, depending on which of South Africa and Afghanistan defeats them, several other results and their margins must transpire exactly in favor of England.

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"Immense belief in the guys" - Jos Buttler

England captain Jos Buttler maintained that the side remain positive despite the heartbreaking defeat to Australia in their 2025 Champions Trophy opener. England are among the few sides to have never tasted success in the Champions Trophy, with the runners-up finish in 2004 being their best finish.

Talking about the loss at the post-match presentation, Buttler said [via Cricbuzz]:

"Fantastic game, both sides played really well. Credit to Australia. We tried to find ways to break that partnership Inglis and Carey earlier but just couldn't manage it. Sometimes you have to give credit to the opposition. Absolutely (confident), immense belief in the guys. "

England will be up against Afghanistan in their next outing, a virtual do-or-die encounter, in Lahore on February 26.