Match report
Middlesbrough Triumphs Over Birmingham with 3-1 Victory in Championship
Birmingham
1–3
FT
Middlesbrough
Mar 2, 2026
Middlesbrough stunned Birmingham with an early onslaught as Matt Targett scored twice within the opening half-hour, securing a vital win for his side in the Championship. Despite M. Ducksch pulling one back for Birmingham midway through the second half, D. Strelec's late goal sealed the victory for Middlesbrough.
Key Facts
- • Middlesbrough 3–1 Birmingham (Championship)
- • Matt Targett scored twice at minutes 13 and 26.
- • D. Strelec netted the third goal for Middlesbrough at minute 60.
- • Birmingham's M. Ducksch responded with a goal at minute 49.
- • Tomoki Iwata received a yellow card for Birmingham at minute 58.
- • Middlesbrough had three substitutions: D. Strelec, T. Conway, and R. McGree.
Lineups
Birmingham
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Starting XI
- 25 James Beadle (G)
- 26 Bright Osayi-Samuel (D)
- 4 Christoph Klarer (D)
- 37 Jonathan Panzo (D)
- 31 Kai Wagner (D)
- 24 Tomoki Iwata (M)
- 7 Tommy Doyle (M)
- 16 Patrick Roberts (M)
- 33 Marvin Ducksch (M)
- 10 Demarai Gray (M)
- 28 Jay Stansfield (F)
Substitutes
- 23 Carlos Vicente
- 29 August Priske
- 21 Ryan Allsop
- 2 Ethan Laird
- 5 Phil Neumann
- 27 Kanya Fujimoto
- 8 Seung-Ho Paik
- 17 Ibrahim Osman
- 9 Kyogo Furuhashi
Middlesbrough
Formation: 3-4-1-2
Starting XI
- 31 Solomon Brynn (G)
- 12 Luke Ayling (D)
- 6 Dael Fry (D)
- 29 Adilson Malanda (D)
- 2 Callum Brittain (M)
- 18 Aidan Morris (M)
- 7 Hayden Hackney (M)
- 3 Matt Targett (M)
- 8 Riley McGree (F)
- 13 David Strelec (F)
- 9 Tommy Conway (F)
Substitutes
- 11 Morgan Whittaker
- 32 Joe Wildsmith
- 15 Finley Munroe
- 25 George Edmundson
- 16 Alan Browne
- 27 Sontje Hansen
- 45 Jeremy Sarmiento
- 20 Mamadou Kaly Sene
- 14 Alexander Gilbert
Timeline
-
13' Middlesbrough Goal · Normal GoalMatt Targett · Assist: A. Morris
-
26' Middlesbrough Goal · Normal GoalMatt Targett · Assist: H. Hackney
-
49' Birmingham Goal · Normal GoalM. Ducksch · Assist: J. Stansfield
-
58' Birmingham Card · Yellow CardTomoki Iwata
-
60' Middlesbrough Goal · Normal GoalD. Strelec · Assist: Luke Ayling
-
61' Middlesbrough subst · Substitution 1Off: D. Strelec · On: M. Whittaker
-
64' Birmingham subst · Substitution 1Off: J. Stansfield · On: A. Priske
-
64' Birmingham subst · Substitution 2Off: P. Roberts · On: C. Vicente
-
67' Middlesbrough Card · Yellow CardT. Conway
-
72' Birmingham subst · Substitution 3Off: D. Gray · On: Paik Seung-Ho
-
72' Birmingham subst · Substitution 4Off: Bright Osayi-Samuel · On: I. Osman
-
74' Middlesbrough subst · Substitution 2Off: R. McGree · On: A. Browne
-
74' Middlesbrough subst · Substitution 3Off: T. Conway · On: J. Sarmiento
-
84' Birmingham subst · Substitution 5Off: Jonathan Panzo · On: E. Laird
-
85' Middlesbrough Card · Yellow CardS. Brynn
-
90'+1 Middlesbrough subst · Substitution 4Off: H. Hackney · On: A. Gilbert
-
90'+4 Middlesbrough Card · Yellow CardC. Brittain
Match Stats
| Stat | Birmingham | Middlesbrough |
|---|---|---|
| Fouls | 11 | 12 |
| Pass Accuracy | 76% | 70% |
| Offsides | 3 | 3 |
| Red Cards | — | — |
| Total Shots | 11 | 10 |
| Corners | 6 | 2 |
| Total Passes | 450 | 307 |
| Yellow Cards | 2 | 4 |
| Blocked Shots | 4 | 3 |
| Shots on Target | 7 | 3 |
| xG | 0.62 | 1.06 |
| Shots off Target | 0 | 4 |
| Possession | 60% | 40% |
| Goals Prevented | 0 | 0 |
| Accurate Passes | 340 | 216 |
| Shots Inside Box | 5 | 8 |
| Saves | 0 | 5 |
| Shots Outside Box | 6 | 2 |
Key Match Notes
- ▸ Matt Targett's early brace (13' and 26') put Middlesbrough in control.
- ▸ Birmingham's goal by M. Ducksch at minute 49 provided a glimmer of hope, but D. Strelec's late strike (60') quelled any comeback attempt.