A tense FA Cup fourth-round match concluded with Leeds United securing a spot in the fifth round, defeating Birmingham City 4-2 in a penalty shootout. The match, held at St. Andrew's Stadium on February 15, 2026, ended 1-1 after extra time, showcasing a resilient performance from the home side. Birmingham City pushed their Premier League opponents to the limit, demonstrating a determined effort that extended beyond the regulation ninety minutes.
Match Overview and Key Events
The FA Cup tie saw Birmingham City host Leeds United. The game remained goalless through the first half. In the second half, Lukas Nmecha opened the scoring for Leeds United in the 49th minute, marking his seventh goal of the season. As the match neared its conclusion, Patrick Roberts equalized for Birmingham City in the 89th minute with a significant strike, forcing the match into extra time.
Read More: Leeds United Win FA Cup Match Against Birmingham City After Penalty Shootout
The additional thirty minutes failed to produce a winner, leading to a penalty shootout. During the shootout, Birmingham City missed two penalties. Tommy Doyle and Patrick Roberts were unable to convert their attempts, while Leeds United proved more clinical, scoring four of their penalties.
Birmingham City's Resilient Effort
Despite the eventual outcome, Birmingham City delivered a commendable performance. The team nearly achieved an upset against their higher-division rivals.
Late Equalizer: Patrick Roberts' late goal demonstrated Birmingham's tenacity and refusal to concede.
Missed Opportunities: Birmingham will reflect on missed chances, including a notable instance where Ibrahim Osman struck the post in stoppage time. This near-goal could have altered the trajectory of the match before penalties.
Penalty Shootout Disappointment: The inability to convert two penalties in the shootout ultimately proved costly, despite an otherwise spirited display.
Leeds United's Advancement
Leeds United, the Premier League side, navigated a challenging fixture to advance.
Read More: Michael Owen Asks if Viktor Gyokeres Can Help Arsenal Win
Clinical Penalties: The team's success in the penalty shootout highlights their composure under pressure. Sean Longstaff's successful penalty was a key moment in securing the win.
Nmecha's Opening Goal: Lukas Nmecha's early second-half goal provided Leeds with a crucial advantage for a significant portion of the game.
Fifth Round Qualification: This victory marks Leeds United's progression to the FA Cup fifth round for the third time in the last four seasons.
Player Performances and Tactical Considerations
The match featured contributions from several players across both teams. Lukas Nmecha’s goal was a decisive moment for Leeds, while Patrick Roberts became a central figure for Birmingham with his equalizer and a subsequent missed penalty. The tactical battle between Birmingham's Chris Davies and Leeds' management was evident throughout the match.
Birmingham's Missed Penalties: The outcomes of the penalties taken by Tommy Doyle and Patrick Roberts were decisive in the shootout.
Leeds' Goalkeeping: Lucas Perri, the Leeds goalkeeper, made a crucial save during the penalty shootout, diving to his right to deny Tommy Doyle.
Unavailable Players: Both teams had notable absences due to injury. Leeds United were without Anton Stach and Pascal Struijk, while Birmingham City were missing Alexander Cochrane, Ethan Laird, Jack Robinson, Lee Buchanan, and Seung-Ho Paik.
Expert Analysis
Commentators noted Birmingham City's impressive performance against a Premier League side. The resilience shown by Birmingham, particularly in equalizing late in the game, was widely acknowledged. The penalty shootout, while a source of disappointment for Birmingham, ultimately highlighted Leeds United's greater success in converting their opportunities under duress.
Read More: Arsenal Plays Wigan in FA Cup
"Birmingham made it far from easy for them. After taking the Premier League side to extra-time, a penalty shoot-out was a step too far. Leeds were clinical and Birmingham missed two from the post…" - The Telegraph
"Blues have done themselves justice today. It's game on at St Andrew's." - Birmingham Mail
Conclusion and Implications
Leeds United's victory over Birmingham City in the FA Cup fourth round was a hard-fought affair. The match served as a testament to Birmingham City's competitive spirit, as they pushed Leeds United to penalties and came close to an upset. Leeds United, though tested, demonstrated the necessary composure to secure their passage to the next round. For Birmingham City, the focus now shifts back to their league campaign, having proven their capability against a top-tier opponent. The result signifies Leeds United's continued presence in the FA Cup and the challenges faced by teams aiming for deep runs in the competition.
Sources Used
ESPN: https://www.espn.com/soccer/match//gameId/401850913
The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2026/feb/15/birmingham-city-v-leeds-united-fa-cup-fourth-round-live?filterKeyEvents=false
The Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2026/02/15/birmingham-city-vs-leeds-united-live-score-fa-cup-updates/
Sky Sports: https://www.skysports.com/football/birmingham-city-vs-leeds-united/live/552103
Birmingham Mail: https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/birmingham-city-leeds-united-live-33419719
BBC Sport: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/c3v7kyy7dd2t
Sporting Life: https://www.sportinglife.com/football/live/225042/birmingham-city-vs-leeds-united/commentary
VAVEL: https://www.vavel.com/en-us/soccer/2026/02/15/1250914-birmingham-vs-leeds-live-score-fa-cup.html
Read More: Birmingham City and Leeds United FA Cup Match Goes to Extra Time
