As 2024 draws to a close, we look back at some of our favourite moments of the year, brought to you by Cadbury.
Relive the moments below.
Michelle Heyman makes her international return after a 5-year absence
The 65th-minute of the CommBank Matildas Olympic Qualifying match against Uzbekistan was one for the history books, with Michelle Heyman making her return to the squad after almost six years and scoring a crucial first goal in the team's final hurdles toward Paris 2024.
It was a dream fulfilled for the 62-capped CommBank Matilda, whose last appearance was in November 2018, before announcing her retirement from National Team duty in 2019.
Qualification for #Paris2024
The CommBank Matildas decisively defeated Uzbekistan 10-0 in the AFC Olympic Qualifiers (Third Round) second leg in front of 54,120 fans in Melbourne.
The aggregate victory of 13-0 over the two-legged tie means that Australia has qualified for the Paris 2024™ Olympic Games.
Raso and Foord score to see us beat Mexico
Goals from Hayley Raso and Caitlin Foord saw the team beat Mexico 2-0 in a high-tempo affair in San Antonio, Texas.
Raso opened the scoring for Australia early in the second half, before Foord doubled the side's lead with an impressive solo effort to see out the game 2-0. The game also saw Sharn Freier receive her first cap for the senior national team.
Heyman scores a late equaliser against China PR at Adelaide Oval
Michelle Heyman scored a 95th-minute equaliser to see us draw with the Asian Champions China PR 1-1. The match – the first time that we have played in Adelaide since 2019 – was played in front of a sell-out crowd of 52,912.
The sold-out crowd were treated to the 'Never Say Die' spirit with the team rescuing a late draw in Adelaide.
Lydia Williams' farewell
After close to 19 years with the senior national team, including five FIFA Women's World Cups (2007, 2011, 2015, 2019, 2023) and six AFC Women's Asian Cups (2006, 2008, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022), goalkeeper, Lydia Williams announced her retirement following the Paris 2024™️ Olympic Games.
Lydia's final game on home soil saw her captain the side against China PR at Accor Stadium, there wasn't a dry eye in the house as Evonne Goolagong Cawley presented Lydia with a traditional Booka, made by artist Lea Taylor, following a guard of honour.
76,798 fans send the team off to Paris in style
The retirement of Lydia Williams and wonderful goals by Clare Wheeler and Hayley Raso put on a show for the fans at Accor Stadium, all 76,798 of them, were treated to a memorable game against China PR.
Kyra Cooney-Cross scores the Goal of the Year - as voted by you!
Voted the best Goal of the Year by fans, Kyra Cooney-Cross marked her 50th appearance with her first senior goal for Australia, and what a goal it was.
In traditional fashion of the midfielder, her 3-year wait for her first international goal was worth it, striking the ball from distance to beat the German keeper.
Clare Polkinghorne captains the team in front of her hometown for one last time
Another stalwart of the team for close to two decades announced her retirement, with Australia's most-capped footballer, male or female, Clare Polkinghorne announcing her retirement from football following the end of the final FIFA International Window of 2024.
The 169-capped Matilda led her team out one last time in front of her home fans at Suncorp Stadium, where fans were treated to a beautiful highlight reel of the defender's career and messages from her teammates.
A memorable night on the Gold Coast
Our first-ever game at Cbus Super Stadium was one to remember for a number of reasons, the game saw Hayley Raso score her 20th goal for her country, and her first goal in front of her hometown. The game saw Teagan Micah play her first game for Australia in a year, as well as Natasha Prior impressing on her first senior cap.
The game also celebrated two achievements for our players, with Ellie Carpenter being presented with the inaugural AFC Women's International Player of the Year and Emily van Egmond celebrated for making her 150th appearance for Australia.
Wins over Chinese Taipei in Victoria
The team wrapped up 2024 with back-to-back wins over Chinese Taipei, first in Melbourne at AAMI Park with a 3-1 win before travelling to Geelong to finish off the year with a 6-0 win at GMHBA Stadium.
Both games were jam-packed full of milestones, across the two games we welcomed three debutants in Leah Davidson, Chloe Lincoln and Laura Hughes. Four players scored their first goals in green & gold during the two games, with Freier, Prior, Bryleeh Henry and Davidson opening their account.
Clare Polkinghorne's final game
Our final game of the year brought with it Clare Polkinghorne's final game for the Matildas, 18 years after making her debut and achieving 169 caps in her time, the defender came off the pitch late in the game to a standing ovation from fans at GMHBA Stadium.
