Liam Millar's two-goal haul propelled Birmingham to a dominant 3-0 victory over QPR at St Andrew's in a crucial Sky Bet Championship encounter. According to Sky Sports, the Canadian forward struck in the 27th minute and again early in the second half to settle the contest, with Demarai Gray adding a third in stoppage time.
Chairman Tom Wagner watched from the stands as Millar orchestrated Birmingham's statement performance. On both of his finishes, Tomoki Iwata provided the assist, while Gray's late contribution came from a pull-back by substitute Luis Vazquez, which he dispatched into the top corner with a thunderous strike.
The result represented a significant boost for Birmingham's Championship credentials. According to BBC Sport, the hosts had entered the match on the back of four consecutive games without defeat, and the victory extended their impressive early-season form. The club now boasted 17 points from their opening 10 Championship matches, their strongest start at this level since 2016–17.
QPR began with genuine attacking intent and created an early opportunity when Paul Smyth's long throw from the seventh minute found Boy Kemper in a dangerous position. However, Kemper's attempt from close range drifted just wide as he stretched to make contact while falling away.
Birmingham's appeals for a penalty came in the 18th minute after they carved open QPR's right flank. Kemper slid in to intercept a pass intended for Bright Osayi-Samuel, but only succeeded in deflecting the ball back into a crowded penalty area. August Priske seized on the loose ball and struck a shot on the turn that caught Ronnie Edwards' raised left arm as he attempted to block. Referee Thomas Kirk deemed Edwards too close to avoid the contact and waved play on.
The breakthrough arrived nine minutes later from an unexpected source. After QPR won their first corner of the match, Jay Stansfield pressed Rayan Kolli out of possession near Birmingham's penalty area. As Kealey Adamson moved to help, QPR's shape disintegrated. Stansfield transferred possession to Iwata, who threaded Millar through at the halfway line. The Canada international showed composure to accelerate clear and finish with a low sidefoot past Pierce Charles from the left of the area.
QPR threatened again before the interval when Kwame Poku fed Kolli down the right channel in the 42nd minute. Kolli's powerful effort forced James Beadle into a strong save; the Birmingham goalkeeper was making his 50th appearance for the club.
The second half brought immediate reinforcement of Birmingham's dominance. In the 49th minute, Iwata dispossessed QPR in midfield and engineered a swift counter-attack. After picking the pocket of Glen Kamara, Iwata advanced to the area's edge and received a return pass from Patrick Roberts before rolling the ball into Millar's path as he arrived from the left. Millar swept a firm first-time finish past Charles from 10 yards, establishing commanding daylight between the teams.
QPR refused to surrender and intensified their efforts to claw back into the contest. Beadle produced a crucial sprawling save in the 63rd minute to deny Ronnie Edwards' powerful sidefoot from the angle of the area.
Millar came within touching distance of a hat-trick when Birmingham created panic from a cross by substitute Carlos Vicente. The ball was cleared but only as far as Millar, who struck a fierce volley that travelled straight into Charles's grateful hands.
Controversy erupted in the 69th minute when Birmingham captain Christoph Klarer dribbled away from defence and overran the ball on his second touch. He slid in as Jimmy Dunne nicked possession away, and the challenge caught the QPR skipper on the foot. Dunne writhed in apparent agony, and after order was restored, referee Kirk issued Klarer a yellow card and a word of caution.
As the clock ticked into the 91st minute, Birmingham capitalised on QPR's push forward. Stansfield worked the ball to Vazquez on the right of the area, and the substitute laid it back for Gray to thump in from close range, sealing a comprehensive victory.
The win came at a significant moment in both clubs' seasons. According to BBC Sport, QPR had just ended a run of four consecutive draws with a 4-1 victory over Derby County before this fixture, arriving at St Andrew's with renewed momentum.
What happens next
Birmingham are scheduled to visit Cardiff City on 24 October 2026, according to ESPN.
