Full Breakdown
Birmingham City Edge Barcelona on Penalties in Pre-Season Friendly
8/1/2026, 1:01:51 PM
Match Summary
Birmingham City hosted FC Barcelona at St Andrew’s for a pre-season friendly that ended 2-2 after 90 minutes. The home side prevailed 3-2 in the ensuing penalty shoot-out, with goalkeeper James Beadle saving three spot-kicks. August Priske opened the scoring for Birmingham, Hamza Abdelkarim netted a brace for Barcelona, and Jhon Solís equalised for the Blues in the second half.
Background & Context
The fixture marked Barcelona’s first test on English soil after a 4-1 win over CE Europa in a closed-door friendly. Because the club’s World Cup-participating players were still on holiday, head coach Hansi Flick fielded a largely youthful side comprising La Masia graduates and recent signings such as Karim Adeyemi and the 18-year-old Egyptian forward Hamza Abdelkarim. Birmingham, meanwhile, entered the match having completed five preseason games and were preparing for the Championship season that begins with a League Cup tie against Swansea City on August 8.
Key Figures
- Hamza Abdelkarim – 18-year-old Egyptian forward, Barcelona; scored two goals, including a penalty.
- James Beadle – Birmingham goalkeeper; saved three penalties to secure the shoot-out win.
- August Priske – Birmingham striker; headed the opening goal.
- Jhon Solís – Former Girona midfielder, Birmingham; equalised from a set-piece.
- Chris Davies – Birmingham head coach; praised his team’s performance.
- Hansi Flick – Barcelona head coach; used the match to assess young talent.
Data & Statistics
- Final score (regulation): Birmingham 2 – 2 Barcelona.
- Goal timeline: Priske (32´), Abdelkarim (pen 42´), Abdelkarim (60´), Solís (69´).
- Penalty shoot-out: Birmingham 3 – 2 Barcelona; Beadle saved attempts from Roony Bardghji, Brian Fariñas and one other shot.
- Substitutions: Barcelona made seven changes at halftime, introducing nine La Masia players plus Roony Bardghji and Héctor Fort.
Official Statements & Responses
He added that the result, whether a draw or a win, would be “special” given the respect the Blues have for the Catalan side.
His post-match comments highlighted the value of testing the squad’s depth while the senior internationals remained on summer break.
What It Means
The friendly provided Barcelona with a practical assessment of emerging talents, most notably Hamza Abdelkarim, whose two goals and overall work rate may accelerate his integration into the first team. For Birmingham, the victory in the shoot-out offers a morale boost ahead of the Championship campaign and demonstrates the squad’s ability to compete against a technically proficient opponent despite a largely inexperienced lineup.
The match also underscored the continued connection between the clubs and former Birmingham star Jude Bellingham, who attended the game in a Birmingham shirt and received a standing ovation from the crowd. His presence added a celebratory dimension to the event but did not influence the on-field action.
Overall, the encounter served its dual purpose: Barcelona gained valuable minutes for its youth contingent, while Birmingham secured a memorable win that could shape confidence as the new season approaches.
