In the year they made their debut on the World Cup stage, Morocco qualified for the last 16 stage, Anissa Lahmari the goal scorer and hero, Germany only taking a point to send them through as runners up.

A massive shock, the minnows, who have won twice in their maiden campaign, shocked the world, from Casablanca, Fez, Marrakesh and the capital Rabat, they will be celebrating a historic moment for Women’s football in their nation.

Defending for their lives, they held on in the second half to a ruthless Colombian attack, they savoured a huge moment, tears flowing, incredible scenes as they waited to hear of the result elsewhere. France awaits.

It was a bright start to the game from Morocco aiming to ask questions of the Colombia defence from the off, Ibtissam Jraïdi was sent through down the left before her shot towards the near post was pushed out for a corner by Catalina Pérez.

Despite being the minnows in comparison to their group leader opponents, Morocco were not taking a cautious approach and played with confidence and on the front foot in the opening minutes.

Colombia did have plenty of the ball, almost a chance occurring as Mayra Ramírez timed her run well into the box, to get on the end of a terrific pass but the angle was tight and her shot rippled into the side netting.

Almost another big chance followed for Morocco down at the other end, Jraïdi was proving a real test to the Colombia defence, she flicked a really good header from a Fatima Tagnaout cross that Pérez had to be quick to gather.

Colombia struggled in attack, a half chance came when Leicy Santos played the ball out wide and then made a run to the middle of the box for the return pass but the Moroccan defence was stout and proving hard to beat.

With Morocco trying to clear the danger, appeals for a penalty came from Colombian players and supporters, Anissa Lahmari tried to clear a high ball into the box and the ball ran down her body, shouts of handball not given following a VAR review.

Just before the half hour mark a nice move down the left almost saw Fatima Tagnaout breaking clear of the Colomba defence, Carolina Arias applying the tackle to clear the danger, pressure remained however as Lahmari striked from the edge of the area with plenty space to chance her luck, but it was fired over.

Morocco goalkeeper Khadija Er-Rmichi was rarely called into action but reacted well to an awkward deflected ball from the right, which might have caused an issue but the keeper was well able to gather and start a counter offensive.

Inside the final ten minutes it was the African side who would appeal for a penalty, one of their players lying stricken in the area after a corner was floated in, some players signalled for a VAR check but referee Maria Sole Ferrieri Caputi wasn't interested.

Germany were behind early and that was enough to see Morocco through, an equaliser however needed Morocco to find the net, they almost trailed following a fine move by Colombia. Linda Caicedo sent away down the right channel, putting a brilliant ball into the box for Leicy Santos, but she headed over the bar.

As we ticked into the second minute of first half stoppage time, Ibtissam Jraïdi was bundled over inside the box and Morocco had a penalty, a push in the back by Daniela Arias, giving Morocco the chance to lead.

Up-stepped captain Ghizlane Chebbak, the leader, the veteran, a player who’s nation believes in to deliver, she struck for the right hand bottom corner, saved by Pérez, Lahmari however was there to fire in the loose ball. What a moment.

A VAR check for possible encroachment inside the area as the penalty was taken followed, the goal however stood, Morocco with a massive moment in their history and in this year’s World Cup, 45 minutes between them and knockout football, as we headed for the break.

Alarm bells rang for Morocco however early on in the second half, Er-Rmichi was swarmed by her team-mates as the Morocco goalkeeper denied Daniela Montoya from close range with her outstretched right leg. Following the clearance, Lorena Bedoya fired a loose ball on the edge of the area into the side netting.

The Morocco goal was put under a bit of pressure, nerves settled by Er-Rmichi proving hard to beat, getting down at her near post, she pushed behind Mayra Ramírez's low strike out for a corner, not taking risks.

Dangerous times for Morocco, they were doing enough, but Er-Rmichi was in sparkling form, producing a stunning block from point-blank range to deny Linda Caicedo. The flag was up however, that didn't matter to the Moroccan keeper.

Pressure was not lifting up from the Colombian side, inside the final quarter, Nouhaila Benzina slipped inside the box and Mayra Ramírez was in on goal but she cannoned a strike off the post.

Ramírez then went down inside the area, appeals for a penalty turned down as the referee told her to get up, that again another moment where Morocco were living on the absolute edge of conceding.

A rare moment in the second half, minutes to go and Morocco raced out of their own half Fatima Tagnaout charged forward, support on her right not used as she decided to go for goal herself from a tricky angle but Pérez held comfortably.

The final act of normal time almost saw Morocco seal the deal, Rosella Ayane had the chance to wrap it up for Morocco but her shot was too close to Catalina Pérez. Nine minutes and a stalemate elsewhere, standing in the way of Morocco making the knockout stages.

After 12 minutes, they had their moment, jubilant scenes and celebrations, this is why we love the World Cup stage.