BAKU: Pakistan recorded their first-ever victory on the FIFA World Cup stage with a 6-1 rout of Tonga at the FIFA U-15 World Cup and Festival in Azerbaijan on Wednesday, before their campaign hit a setback with a penalty shootout defeat to Nepal.

Against Tonga, Pakistan fell behind in the sixth minute after conceding a penalty against the run of play. The setback proved short-lived as Kaleemullah levelled from the spot in the seventh minute before putting Pakistan ahead in the 13th, heading home a cross from the right.Kaleemullah completed his hat-trick with another penalty in first-half stoppage time. He added his fourth after the break, rising above the defence at the far post to head home a kick-in from the left.

Maqbool added a fifth with a strike from distance, before Mustafa completed the scoring with a composed finish following a move down the left. Pakistan could have added further goals, with their attacking movement and sustained pressure keeping Tonga pinned back.

Pakistan’s next match against Nepal ended goalless in regulation time, with the tie decided by a penalty shootout that Nepal won 4-3 after a missed Pakistan spot-kick.

Pakistan return to action against the Bahamas on Thursday.

Published in Dawn, October 29th, 2026