WORLD football governing body FIFA has paid tribute to the women who played in the first ever Scotland versus England international match in Greenock.

The famous fixture took place at Ravenscraig Stadium on Saturday November 18, 1972.

Admission for the 2.15pm kick-off cost just 20p.

FIFA highlighted the famous fixture to mark the start of the Women's World Cup in France.

The tournament kicked off yesterday, with the Scotland taking on England in Nice tomorrow at 5pm.

It is Scotland's first appearance in the finals of the competition but the journey started nearly 47 years ago in Greenock, with England snatching a 3-2 victory.

At the time, the Telegraph reported: "For sheer stamina as well as football ability you've got to hand it to the 22 girls who took the field at Ravenscraig on Saturday in the first-ever official women's home international.

"They gave a lively and entertaining display in conditions which would have tested the most experienced male players, and won the hearts and vocal support of an enthusiastic crowd of about 400."

The young Scottish team were aged between 17 and 22.

The side was managed by former Kilmarnock and St Mirren player Rab Stewart and the starting 11 featured a local player, Greenock's Marion Mount.

On the scoresheet for Scotland were Mary Carr, who scored the opener, and Rose Reilly, who was 17 at the time, with a goal direct from a corner.

It wasn't until last week, before the current team played Jamaica at Hampden, that Reilly and her team-mates finally presented with caps for playing in the historic '72 fixture.

At the time, there was a ban on women's football and the match was not recognised by the Scottish FA.

The ban was not lifted until '74.

The SFA took control of the women's game in 1998.

FIFA paid tribute to the 'Ravenscraig pioneers' ahead of Sunday's match.

The organisation said: "History will be made when England and Scotland step on to the pitch in Nice in their FIFA Women's World Cup France 2019 Group D clash - the Scots' first-ever match at the global finals. "But while it is a debut for one of these sides, their rivalry is steeped in five decades of tradition."

Tomorrow's big game will be shown live on BBC One.