(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
Pakistan Defeat Afghanistan to Lift Historic Football Trophy After 74 Years
Pakistan’s national football team has ended a 74-year wait for an international tournament title after defeating Afghanistan 2–0 in the final of the Diamond Jubilee International Football Tournament at the National Stadium.
The win marks a major milestone for Pakistan football, as it is the first time the national side has won an international tournament final outright since 1952.
Pakistan took an early lead in the match through a spectacular overhead kick by Shayek Dost in the first half. The goal gave Pakistan a crucial advantage going into the break.
Afghanistan created several chances in response and came close to equalising, but Pakistan maintained their lead with strong defensive organisation.
In the second half, both teams continued to press, with Pakistan also hitting the crossbar through Adil Nabi. However, it was Pakistan who sealed the victory in stoppage time when substitute Harun Hamid scored the second goal to confirm the win.
Pakistan had remained unbeaten throughout the tournament, including a group-stage victory over Afghanistan earlier in the competition, before securing the title in the final.
Following the match, Pakistan head coach Norberto Solano praised the team’s performance and development, highlighting the win as an important step forward for future international competitions.
Team captain Abdullah Iqbal dedicated the victory to fans, expressing gratitude for their continued support through challenging times for the national team.
Officials from the Pakistan Football Federation described the achievement as an important moment for the sport in the country, calling it a positive step toward future progress.
