In football, there are winners and losers, and this time, the final score extended beyond the pitch, reaching the skies and across social media.
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Norwegian has been brought back down to earth after England’s 2-1 victory over Norway in Sunday’s FIFA World Cup quarter-final.
The final whistle didn’t just end the Scandinavian country’s World Cup dream, it also left Norwegian temporarily sporting British Airways’ logo after a pre-match wager that hasn’t quite gone to plan.
Ahead of the match, the low-cost carrier challenged BA in a series of Instagram posts, taunting its rival to “risk its logo” and instead change it to that of Norwegian’s should the Vikings succeed.
The Vikings struck first when Andreas Schjelderup found the back of England’s net in the 35th minute, only for Jude Bellingham to turn the match on its head with two belters, sending England to the semi-final clash.
“While the tournament is over for us, this friendly bet will forever live in all our hearts,” the airline said in a recent post, adding that it sincerely hoped the Three Lions will bring football home.
Offering its commiserations, BA took to Instagram to assure that while the rivalry was only for 90 minutes, the two carriers will remain friends forever.
Hinting at an aviation bromance, the British carrier added: “Just like Haaland and Bellingham, we feel a blossoming friendship between our two airlines,” extending a tongue-in-cheek offer of return flights between London and Norway for Norwegian’s visiting social media team – “we’ll be in touch!” they said.
But it’s not all gloom and doom for Norwegian, and passengers.
“Well played, England. Fancy a trip to Norway?” The airline’s latest post reads, announcing in good spirits, that although their team lost, there is a flash sale on offer to all “Norwenglish” destinations.