Australia loses it over iconic Matildas celebration moment

The Matildas were genuinely blown away after they were bombed by the shock appearance of an Aussie icon at their official celebrations.

Nikki Webster got amongst it. Picture: Dan Peled / NCA NewsWire

Even after a big night out, the Matildas players were back on their feet and dancing as Aussie pop cult hero Nikki Webster bombed their official celebration event.

Matildas players were put on a stage and handed the keys to the city in Brisbane on Sunday morning following their World Cup third-place play-off loss to Sweden on Saturday night.

The Aussie heroes were on stage for more than 45 minutes before Webster came from nowhere to take the stage at the end of the ceremonies, watched on by a live TV audience on Channel 7.

According to The Courier-Mail, more than 4400 fans turned out to cheer the Matildas on.

Twenty years on Nikki Webster’s still got it. Picture: Dan Peled / NCA NewsWire

Sam Kerr was in the thick of it. Picture: Dan Peled / NCA NewsWire

Most players looked worse for wear as they let their hair down celebrating with each other and their closest friends and families at the end of a long World Cup campaign that has gripped Australia like no other team has.

That didn’t stop them from enjoying every bit of Webster’s cameo where she jumped on stage singing her, iconic ‘Strawberry Kisses’ tune.

The Matildas have made the song a team anthem of sorts when cranking the music up during training sessions throughout the World Cup.

The team has also been heard rocking out to tracks like Adele’s ‘Someone Like You’ and Shania Twain’s ‘Feel Like A Woman’.

However, it is Webster’s ditty that has stuck.

When asked about the song earlier in the tournament Aussie goalkeeping hero Mackenzie Arnold said: “I don’t know where that’s come from. Actually I think it’s Steph Catley’s favourite song and now we’ve all jumped on the wagon.”

Absolute scenes. Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images.

According to Optus Sport, Catley replied in a video posted on the team’s social media channels on the same day, saying: “It’s a banger of a song, it’s iconic.

“I had it as a CD in my Walkman. It was a single and I’d just listen to it over and over again, so it reminds me of my childhood.

“It’s happiness in song and it just gets me going on my day - and in the changeroom apparently now.”

While Webster’s style of family-friendly pop might not be to everyone’s liking, it united the crowd and the team on Sunday.

Nikki Webster singing Strawberry Kisses with the Matildas is iconic. #FIFAWWC

— Lachlan McKirdy (@LMcKirdy7) August 20, 2023

Omg! They brought out Nikki! #matildas

— Fairls (@fairls) August 20, 2023

Scenes! Nikki Webster surprises the Matildas team by coming on the Brisbane celebration stage and singing their favourite team song "Strawberry kisses". #matildas#brisbane#fifawwcpic.twitter.com/FOEphpssX5

— Anth W. 🌏 (anth0888 on 🧵's) (@anth0888) August 20, 2023

nikki webster onstage with the matildas this is so iconic i'm cryingdhdhhd #Matildas

— dena (@starksavengr) August 20, 2023

There has been a general vibe across the country in recent days that this is far from the end of this team’s story.

But despite the losses to England and Sweden, Australia has continued to show the love with fans sticking around to celebrate the Matildas as they did a lap of honour around Suncorp Stadium.

While Sweden celebrated with their bronze medals, the Matildas paid respect to the supporters left in the stadium.

“The Matildas are getting one hell of an ovation as they go on a little bit of a lap of honour around Brisbane Stadium,” Adam Peacock said on Channel 7.

“Many of the players in tears, the fans in raptures.”

Originally published as Australia loses it over iconic Matildas celebration moment