'Nobody even does this for cricket': Lyari's 3AM football crowd shocks internet

While most of Pakistan was asleep, Lyari was wide awake.

A viral video showing huge crowds gathering in Karachi's football-loving neighbourhood to watch Brazil play at the FIFA World Cup has captured the internet's attention — and reminded everyone why Lyari is often called Pakistan's football capital.

The match kicked off at 6pm in the United States but around 3am in Pakistan. That did not stop fans from pouring into the streets.

The footage shows packed crowds, fireworks lighting up the sky and fans cheering every touch of the ball as if they were inside the stadium themselves.

And that is exactly what people online cannot stop talking about. “Itny loog kabi cricket dekny ni ay,” one user commented, pointing to the sheer size of the crowd that turned out in the middle of the night.

Another looked beyond Brazil and imagined what football could become in Pakistan. “Just imagine the fandom if Pakistan plays football.”

For many viewers, the video was less about Brazil and more about Lyari's deep-rooted football culture.

For decades, the area has produced some of Pakistan's most talented footballers and remained one of the few places in the country where football often rivals — and sometimes even surpasses — cricket in popularity.

The scenes quickly spread across social media, with many users saying the passion on display deserved greater investment in the sport.

Because while the match was being played thousands of miles away, Lyari looked like it was hosting it.

And if the crowds, noise and fireworks were anything to go by, football definitely wasn't asleep at 3am.