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Pakistan made history on Wednesday when the national men’s football team, ended a 961-day win drought last week and took home their first trophy in 74 years.

The Shaheens faced off against neighbouring Afghanistan in the final of the Diamond Jubilee International Football Tournament in Malé, where they outclassed their opponents 2-0 to emerge undefeated from the tournament.

Naturally, the nation joined its boys in celebrating, starting with senior government figures. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Minister of Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar and Sindh Energy Minister Nasir Hussain Shah sent love to the team on X.

Netizens followed, some surprised, others hopeful, most just happy to see Pakistan get some good news.

The fact that the boys in green didn’t concede a single goal, not just in the game but the whole tournament, was not taken lightly.

There were cheers for the whole team, but one player stood out in the game. Shayak Dost — the Man of the Match — scored a beautiful bicycle kick in the 24th minute to give Pakistan its first goal of the night.

Head coach Nolberto Solano also received some of the spotlight for bringing Pakistani football to a point where people have hope.

Football, like most sports that aren’t cricket, suffers from a lack of facilities and state support in Pakistan. Users hoped this win would help change that.

After all, Pakistan too deserves to feel the full magic of the beautiful game someday.

While the game has a fan following in Pakistan — especially in Karachi’s Lyari — football has never been a game Pakistanis have done well at internationally. Here’s to hoping we keep getting more wins like these moving forward!