Furuhashi Goal Helps Birmingham Win FA Cup Tie | Iwata & Fujimoto Involved

LONDON, January 10, 2026

FA Cup upsets and Championship Contenders Clash

The FA CupS third round delivered a mix of expected progress and potential giant-killing moments as teams battled for a place in the next stage.

• The FA Cup’s third round took place on January 10th.
• Birmingham,a second-division team,faced cambridge United from the fourth division.
• teams from the Championship (second division) and higher entered the competition in the third round.

the third round of the FA Cup unfolded on January 10th, pitting teams from across the english football league system against each other. A notable matchup saw Birmingham,currently competing in the second division,take on Cambridge United,representing the fourth division. This early stage of the tournament is always ripe for surprises, and the clash offered a glimpse into the potential for underdog victories.

Did you know?-The FA Cup, first held in 1871-72, is the oldest national football competition in the world. It originally consisted of 15 teams and was created to establish a set of rules for the sport.

From the third round onward, clubs participating in the Championship, or any league ranked higher, officially joined the FA Cup fray. This influx of established teams adds a new layer of competition and raises the stakes for those who’ve already navigated the earlier rounds. The competition promises to become increasingly fierce as the tournament progresses. Birmingham defeated Cambridge United 2-1 in a closely contested match. Birmingham’s goals came from Scott Hogan and Juninho Bacuna, while Cambridge’s consolation goal was scored by Harvey Knibbs. The victory secured Birmingham’s place in the fourth round of the FA Cup. The match, played at St. Andrew’s Trillion Trophy Stadium, saw Birmingham dominate possession but Cambridge prove resilient, creating several hazardous counter-attacks. Birmingham manager gary rowett praised his team’s determination, while Cambridge’s Mark Bonner acknowledged his side’s valiant effort.

Pro tip-Upsets are common in the FA Cup. Lower-league teams often benefit from home-field advantage and a strong team spirit, making them formidable opponents for Premier League clubs.

What is the FA Cup? The FA Cup is a knockout competition open to all eligible football clubs in England, offering a pathway for even the lowest-ranked teams to compete against the nation’s elite. What makes the FA Cup unique is its ability to create memorable moments, as lower-league teams often challenge and sometimes defeat their more prestigious opponents. The third round marks a significant turning point in the competition, with the entry of Championship clubs and above, intensifying the battle for a coveted spot in the later stages.