In pictures: Historic win for Afghan football

epa03831668 Afghan (in red) and Pakistani players struggle for the ball during the international friendly soccer match between Afghanistan and Pakistan, in Kabul, Afghanistan, 20 August 2013. In the first international soccer match held in Kabul in 10 years, Afghanistan thrashed Pakistan 3-0 in front of a sellout crowd of some 6,000 fans. War-torn Afghanistan is 139th in the FIFA world rankings, while Pakistan is ranked 167th. EPA/S. SABAWOON *** Local Caption *** 03831668.jpg

Only a few women turned up for the game, although their enthusiasm made for the numbers as they stood out in the 6,000 strong crowd. S Sabawoon / EPA

Spectators cheer during the start of the match inside the AFF Stadium, which was packed to full capacity. Shah Marai / AFP

Fans made their way to the Afghanistan Football Federation (AFF) Stadium, in Kabul, yesterday to watch the first match between their home team and Pakistan in 36 years. Even the heavy security presence failed to dampen the spirits of these fans. Shah Mara???

And it's 3-0. Surely Pakistan are no coming back from this position. By now the spectators are joyous beyond words as the writing is on the wall. Shah Marai / AFP

The Afghanistan football team parade the flag around the ground. The win would doubtless have helped in healing some of the wounds of war between the international community-backed federal government and Taliban-led insurgents over the past 12 years. Mass???

The players pose for pictures, a feat that would go down in memory as one of the greatest moments for Afghan sport. Massoud Hossaini / AFP

It's over. Afghanistan have won. It is their first win over Pakistan. A historic moment as the players dance on the pitch after the whistle. Massoud Hossaini / AFP

Predictably, there were railings to keep fans away from the players as the excitement in and around the AFF Stadium had reached fever pitch. Several hundred had to follow the game from outside the ground as there was no space. Massoud Hossaini / AFP

And by the second half the home team scored to give their anxious plenty of joy, who fan waved their national flag in celebration. Shah Marai / AFP

The difference in ranking points showed on the pitch as well with the hosts clearly dominating over the men from across the border. Rahmat Gul / AP Photo

Afghanistan continued to make inroads into Pakistan's defence with the game more one-sided over the 90 minutes. Rahmat Gul / AP Photo

The match, which was Afghanistan's first since at home since 2003, was played on an artificial pitch that was funded by Fifa, the world football governing body. Rahmat Gul / AP Photo

The relationship between the two nations is one of warmth at this point with both governments blaming the other for sponsoring terror across the border. Rahmat Gul / AP Photo

Conspicuous by their absence were the Pakistan fans, many of who live and work in Afghanistan. Omar Sobhani / Reuters

A return match between the teams is scheduled to be played in Lahore in December. For now, though, the players can surely celebrate a little. S Sabawoon / EPA

Within a sport period of time, Afghanistan go 2-0 up, also in the middle of the second half. More waving of the flag. Shah Marai / AFP