Colombia pulled off a huge World Cup shock as Manuela Vanegas’ stoppage-time header secured a dramatic 2-1 victory over Germany in Sydney.

Two-time winners Germany looked to have rescued a point when skipper Alexandra Popp converted a penalty with a minute of normal time to go, cancelling out a superb 52nd-minute effort from 18-year-old Colombia forward Linda Caicedo.

But Nelson Abadia’s side had the final say with Vanegas heading home from a corner in the seventh minute of added time as they moved to the top of Group H and the brink of last-16 qualification.

Now with six points, having beaten South Korea 2-0 in their opener, Colombia – 23 places below world number two Germany in the FIFA rankings – will look to complete the job when they take on Morocco on Thursday.

Germany have three points, the same as Morocco, and a vastly superior goal difference, ahead of taking on South Korea, who remain without a point after a 1-0 loss to the African side earlier on Sunday.

The first half saw Colombia do an effective job of stifling Germany with an approach that was notably physical at times, while also occasionally threatening in attack.

The first real attempt of the contest came when Mayra Ramirez headed wide of the German goal, before Popp, under pressure from two defenders, did the same at the other end.

Subsequent Germany chances saw Lina Magull miss the ball as she tried to shoot in front of goal and Popp then fire off-target late in the half, with Colombia’s Lorena Bedoya sending an ambitious strike over moments later.

Colombia then grabbed the lead seven minutes into the second half via a moment of magic from Caicedo, over whom there had been concern in the build-up to the match after video footage appeared to show her going down clutching her chest during a training session.

The Real Madrid star showed great footwork in the box before sending a strike past Merle Frohms and into the top corner of the net, her second goal of the tournament.

After Popp put two shots over, either side of Lena Oberdorf going close, Colombia nearly got a second late in normal time as Ramirez’s ball flashed across the face of goal, taking a deflection, with Caicedo just unable to get a touch at the far post.

Moments later, Oberdorf was brought down by Colombian goalkeeper Catalina Perez, referee Melissa Borjas pointed to the spot and Popp fired in to take her goal tally for the tournament to three.

However, Colombia were not done and deep into the lengthy period of stoppage time added on Vanegas met a corner with a fine header to clinch her side a famous triumph.