Match report

Birmingham Edge Out Cambridge United 3-2 in FA Cup Thriller

Cambridge United
Cambridge United
2–3
FT
Birmingham
Birmingham
Jan 10, 2026

Birmingham held off a spirited comeback from Cambridge United to secure a 3-2 win and progress in the FA Cup. Goals from K. Wagner and K. Furuhashi put Birmingham ahead early, but S. Kaikai's brace kept Cambridge in contention before M. Ducksch sealed the victory for Birmingham.

Key Facts

  • • Birmingham led 2-0 with goals from K. Wagner (31') and K. Furuhashi (42'),
  • • Cambridge United's S. Kaikai scored twice in the second half, at 80' and 89',
  • • M. Ducksch added a third goal for Birmingham at 78',
  • • Birmingham substituted key players like P. Roberts and K. Fujimoto during the match,

Lineups

Cambridge United

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Starting XI

  • 1 J. Eastwood (G)
  • 2 L. Bennett (D)
  • 23 M. Jobe (D)
  • 16 Z. Ibsen Rossi (D)
  • 26 J. Gibbons (D)
  • 4 D. Ball (M)
  • 38 G. Hoddle (M)
  • 14 B. Knight (M)
  • 17 P. Mpanzu (M)
  • 7 J. Brophy (M)
  • 9 L. Appere (F)

Substitutes

  • 25 B. Hughes
  • 3 B. Purrington
  • 5 M. Morrison
  • 10 E. Kachunga
  • 11 S. Kaikai
  • 19 S. Lavery
  • 21 S. McLoughlin
  • 27 G. McConnell
  • 39 L. McDougald

Birmingham

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Starting XI

  • 25 J. Beadle (G)
  • 24 T. Iwata (D)
  • 4 C. Klarer (D)
  • 6 J. Robinson (D)
  • 31 K. Wagner (D)
  • 7 T. Doyle (M)
  • 8 Paik Seung-Ho (M)
  • 16 P. Roberts (M)
  • 33 M. Ducksch (M)
  • 30 L. Koumas (M)
  • 9 K. Furuhashi (F)

Substitutes

  • 21 R. Allsop
  • 23 A. Sampsted
  • 5 P. Neumann
  • 45 B. Burrell
  • 40 M. Mazwi
  • 39 B. Bateman
  • 42 D. Isichei
  • 18 W. T. Willumsson
  • 27 K. Fujimoto

Timeline

  1. Birmingham
    31' Birmingham Goal · Normal Goal
    K. Wagner
  2. Birmingham
    42' Birmingham Goal · Normal Goal
    K. Furuhashi
  3. Cambridge United
    63' Cambridge United subst · Substitution 1
    Off: J. Brophy · On: S. Kaikai
  4. Cambridge United
    63' Cambridge United subst · Substitution 2
    Off: Dominic Ball · On: S. Lavery
  5. Cambridge United
    74' Cambridge United subst · Substitution 3
    Off: J. Gibbons · On: B. Purrington
  6. Cambridge United
    74' Cambridge United subst · Substitution 4
    Off: P. Mpanzu · On: S. McLoughlin
  7. Birmingham
    75' Birmingham subst · Substitution 1
    Off: P. Roberts · On: W. T. Willumsson
  8. Birmingham
    76' Birmingham subst · Substitution 2
    Off: K. Furuhashi · On: K. Fujimoto
  9. Birmingham
    77' Birmingham subst · Substitution 3
    Off: Jack Robinson · On: P. Neumann
  10. Birmingham
    78' Birmingham Goal · Normal Goal
    M. Ducksch · Assist: T. Doyle
  11. Cambridge United
    80' Cambridge United Goal · Normal Goal
    S. Kaikai
  12. Cambridge United
    88' Cambridge United Card · Yellow Card
    G. Hoddle

    Foul

  13. Cambridge United
    89' Cambridge United Goal · Normal Goal
    S. Kaikai · Assist: M. Jobe
  14. Birmingham
    90'+2 Birmingham subst · Substitution 4
    Off: L. Koumas · On: A. Sampsted

Match Stats

Stat Cambridge United Birmingham
Fouls 7 9
Pass Accuracy 77% 76%
Offsides 3 1
Red Cards — —
Total Shots 12 10
Corners 2 0
Total Passes 466 507
Yellow Cards 1 0
Blocked Shots 2 2
Shots on Target 5 5
xG 1.21 0.62
Shots off Target 5 3
Possession 49% 51%
Goals Prevented — —
Accurate Passes 357 384
Shots Inside Box 9 7
Saves 2 3
Shots Outside Box 3 3

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ K. Wagner's early goal set Birmingham on course, establishing a comfortable lead before halftime with another from K. Furuhashi,
  • ▸ S. Kaikai's two goals in quick succession reignited Cambridge United's hopes but M. Ducksch's third ensured Birmingham would not be denied.