Women's football fixtures 2021

Introduction to the 2021 women's football calendar

The year 2021 was significant for women's football, featuring a diverse range of fixtures across the globe. From national league competitions to international tournaments and friendlies, the calendar was packed with exciting matches and showcased the growing talent and popularity of the sport. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the major women's football events of 2021.

Domestic leagues: powerhouses and rising stars

Many domestic leagues around the world saw intense competition in 2021. For example, the FA Women's Super League in England was a thrilling race between Chelsea and Manchester City, with Chelsea ultimately securing the title. In Spain, Barcelona Femeni continued their dominance, displaying an impressive attacking style. Other notable leagues included the Division 1 Féminine in France, where Lyon continued to be a dominant force, and the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) in the United States, where the Portland Thorns emerged victorious. These leagues provided a platform for showcasing established stars and nurturing emerging talents.

One noteworthy fixture in the FA Women's Super League was the Manchester Derby in November 2021, drawing significant media attention and highlighting the increasing interest in women's football derbies.

International friendlies: preparing for future tournaments

Throughout 2021, numerous international friendlies were held, offering national teams the opportunity to fine-tune their strategies and test out new players. These matches were crucial for preparing for upcoming major tournaments like the UEFA Women's Euro and the FIFA Women's World Cup qualifiers. The United States Women's National Team (USWNT), for instance, played a series of friendlies against European teams, experimenting with different formations and player combinations. England's Lionesses also had a busy schedule of friendlies, building towards their home Euros campaign. These friendlies often provided surprising results and revealed emerging talents on the international stage. In one notable friendly, Australia defeated the Netherlands, demonstrating their growing competitiveness.

Uefa women's champions league: european supremacy

The UEFA Women's Champions League continued to grow in prestige and viewership in 2021. FC Barcelona Femeni emerged as the champions, defeating Chelsea in the final in Gothenburg, Sweden. The tournament featured many high-scoring affairs and showcased the increasing tactical sophistication of European women's football. The semi-final matches were particularly intense, with Barcelona overcoming Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea defeating Bayern Munich. The Champions League provided a stage for the best players in Europe to compete against each other and further elevated the profile of women's club football.

Key moments and memorable matches

2021 was filled with unforgettable moments in women's football. One such moment was Sam Kerr's outstanding performance in the FA Women's Super League, where she consistently scored crucial goals for Chelsea. Another memorable match was the UEFA Women's Champions League final, which set a new viewership record for the competition. The Olympic Games, though officially in 2020, also took place in 2021 and provided a global stage for the sport, with Canada winning the gold medal after defeating Sweden in a penalty shootout. The increased media coverage and investment in women's football significantly contributed to the growing popularity and visibility of the sport throughout the year.