RANKED: Six memorable women’s football moments in 2024 | OneFootball

As 2024 draws to a close, it is the perfect time to reflect on some of the most remarkable 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 across the globe in just 12 months.

Whether it’s international football, or club football in Europe or the USA, there is so much to celebrate. So, 90min have ranked the top six most significant women’s football moments of 2024…

6. Steph Houghton’s retirement

Steph Houghton retired from football at the end of last season / James Baylis - AMA/GettyImages

At the end of the 2023/24 season, the women’s game bid farewell to one of its most iconic figures in Steph Houghton. The 36-year-old hung up her boots after a glittering career for both her country and the clubs she represented, including Manchester City.The 36-year-old once captained the Lionesses and made over 120 appearances for England. For a long time, she was the face of women’s football in this country and was a key figure in driving the game forward.Houghton played her final competitive game for City in their 2-1 win away at Aston Villa in May. It wasn’t quite the title celebration she and her teammates would have hoped for, as they narrowly missed out to Chelsea on goal difference, but she bowed out having played a little over 30 minutes of the much-needed victory.

5. Chelsea’s fifth consecutive WSL title

Chelsea celebrated their fifth consecutive WSL title this year / Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/GettyImages

Another year, another title for Chelsea. After Emma Hayes announced she would be leaving the London club at the end of the 2023/24 season to take on a new opportunity elsewhere, everyone wondered whether they would have enough to get over the line in the title race.Chelsea were run extremely close by City last term as they finished level on points, but it was their superior goal difference that got them over the line. On the final day of the season, Chelsea battered Manchester United 6-0 away from home to put their fifth consecutive league title beyond doubt.Hayes got to round 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 a new manager in Sonia Bompastor, they could go one step further and make it six in a row in 2025.

Barcelona secured a historic quadruple last season / BSR Agency/GettyImages

Chelsea may be the best in England, but Barcelona are the queens of Europe and they proved it with a second consecutive Champions League trophy. The Catalan giants won another Liga F title in 2024, both domestic cups and they completed the lot with the biggest prize in club football.Barcelona’s heroics helped Aitana Bonmati claim another Ballon d’Or award, while her club teammates were also recognised for their success. Barcelona are, without a doubt, the best team in Europe and it will be difficult for anyone to compete with them this season.

3. Emma Hayes’ first major honour with USWNT

Emma Hayes guided the USWNT to Olympic gold in Paris / Brad Smith/ISI/GettyImages

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. At the first time of asking, she guided them to their fifth gold medal at the Olympic games in Paris over the summer.They overcame the likes of Japan, Germany and Brazil to claim the prize and it places them in such a strong position ahead of the next World Cup in 2027. Success follows Hayes wherever she goes and she’s in the early stages of building something quite remarkable with the USWNT.

2. Wales qualify for first major tournament

Wales qualified for Euro 2025 / Charles McQuillan/GettyImages

There wasn’t a single dry eye in the away end of the Aviva Stadium at the beginning of December when Wales clinched a 3-2 aggregate win to overcome the Republic of Ireland in their final 2025 UEFA Women’s Euro play-off game. Wales had never qualified for a major tournament before and the emotion etched on the player’s faces when the full time whistle went in Dublin was palpable. It was a defiant victory in so many ways. Jess Fishlock, who has represented Wales for more than 15 years and is their record goalscorer, is a history-maker. Hannah Cain, who has fought back from two ACL injuries, opened the scoring against Ireland with a penalty kick before Carrie Jones made it two soon after.After the hosts clawed a goal back, it was backs against the wall defending and bodies were on the line – quite literally. It was one of the women’s football stories of the year, that’s for sure.

1. Marta and Orlando Pride’s first NWSL title

Marta won her first NWSL title with Orlando Pride / Bill Barrett/ISI Photos/GettyImages

It’s been a difficult journey for Orlando Pride since their formation a little under a decade ago. But, nine years of hurt were put behind them this year as they claimed their first ever NWSL title.It was a career-defining moment for Brazil legend Marta, too, 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 Orlando Pride through almost a decade of mediocrity, her loyalty paid off in the most remarkable way this year.