Six unforgettable moments of women’s football in 2024
As 2024 draws to a close, it’s a good time to look back at some of the most significant women’s football stories from this year.
There have been historic title wins, quadruple charges, stories of resilience and determination, as well as big name retirements. A lot has happened around the world in just 12 months.
Whether it’s international football or club football in Europe or the US, there is so much to celebrate. So, 90 min they ranked the six most important moments in women’s football in 2024…
At the end of the 2023/24 season, the women’s game said goodbye to one of its most iconic figures, Steph Houghton. The 36-year-old has hung up her boots after a glittering career for her country and the clubs she represented, including Manchester City.
The 36-year-old was once the captain of the Lions and made over 120 appearances for them England. She has long been the face of women’s football in this country and has been a key figure in moving the game forward.
Houghton played her last competitive game for City in their 2-1 away win at Aston Villa in May. It wasn’t exactly the title celebration she and her teammates would have hoped for, as they narrowly missed out Chelsea on goal difference, but succumbed after playing just over 30 minutes from a much-needed victory.
Another year, another title for Chelsea. After Emma Hayes announced that she will leave the London club at the end of the 2023/24 season. to take advantage of a new opportunity elsewhere, everyone wondered if they would have enough to cross the line in the title race.
Chelsea came very close to City last season as they finished level on points, but their superior goal difference saw them over the line. On the last day of the season, Chelsea smashed Manchester United 6-0 away from home to put their fifth consecutive league title beyond doubt.
Hayes rounded off her 12 years at Chelsea with another trophy and the team, quite literally, cemented their place as one of the best the game has ever seen in England. Now, under new manager Sonie Bompastor, they could go one step further and make it a sixth in a row in 2025.
Chelsea may be the best in England, but Barcelona are the queens of Europe and they proved it with their second consecutive victory Champions League trophy. The Catalan giants won another League F title in 2024, both domestic cups and completed the draw with the biggest prize in club football.
Barcelona’s heroics helped Aitana Bonmati won another Ballon d’Or award, and her club teammates were also recognized for their success. Barcelona is, without a doubt, the best team in Europe and it will be difficult for anyone to match them this season.
After leaving Chelsea, Hayes took on a new role with the USWNT and was tasked with restoring their place at the very top of the women’s game. When she first asked, she he led them to their fifth gold medal at the Olympic Games in Paris during the summer.
They overcame Japan, Germany and Brazil to win the award and that puts them in such a strong position ahead of the next World Cup in 2027. Success follows Hayes wherever she goes and she is in the early stages of building something pretty remarkable with the USWNT.
There wasn’t a dry eye away from the Aviva Stadium in early December when Wales celebrated a 3-2 aggregate victory over the Republic of Ireland in the final match of the UEFA Euro Women’s 2025 play-offs. Wales have never before qualified for a major tournament and the emotions etched on the players’ faces when he passed the end of the game in Dublin were palpable.
It was a defiant victory in many ways. Jess Fishlock, who has represented Wales for over 15 years and is their record goalscorer, is a history maker. Hannah Cain, who has been battling two ACL injuries, opened the scoring against Ireland with a penalty before Carrie Jones made it two soon after.
After the hosts scored a goal back, they defended with their backs against the wall and their bodies were on the line – literally. It was one of the women’s football stories of the year, that’s for sure.
It’s been a rough ride for the Orlando Pride since their inception just under a decade ago. But nine years of pain were put behind them this year as they won their first NWSL title.
It was a career-defining moment for Brazilian legend Marta as well, as it was the NWSL championship of her career. At 38, Marta is one of the most experienced faces in the women’s game, and after sticking with the Orlando Pride through nearly a decade of mediocrity, her loyalty has paid off in incredible fashion this year.