Few symbols in international soccer are as instantly identifiable as Mefi, the majestic eagle of OGC Nice. With a routine that mirrors the club’s emblem, Mefi captivates audiences by soaring through the Allianz Riviera just before the match begins.

The spectacle unfolded once more before Nice’s Europa League face-off against AS Roma on Thursday. What began as a proud display quickly transformed into an unexpectedly humorous event.

As Mefi glided gracefully towards her handler, who was ready to reward her with a treat, a pitch sprinkler suddenly activated, drenching both the eagle and her trainer. The powerful spray left the trainer fumbling to retrieve his waterlogged in-ear headphones.

Momentarily stunned, the trainer soon broke into a grin, offering the crowd a thumbs-up to reassure them. Amazingly, Mefi appeared unfazed by the unexpected soaking, carrying on with her performance with admirable composure, though it’s likely the eagle wasn’t fond of the surprise shower.

The amusing incident sparked laughter among the spectators. However, the evening took a downturn for Franck Haise’s team, as Nice succumbed to a 2-1 loss against Roma. Observing from the stands was owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, whose INEOS group also owns Manchester United.

Just as Mefi’s pre-match plan went awry, so too did Nice’s, leaving the home supporters drenched in disappointment rather than celebration.