The dressing room video that emerged moments after Spain's 2-0 demolition of France in Dallas captured a moment of brutal honesty. As the players celebrated, midfielder Fabian Ruiz, off-camera, shouted to left-back Marc Cucurella: “You devoured him. Take him out of your pocket.” Though the name wasn't spoken, the target was clear: Bayern Munich's Michael Olise, who had been a standout for France throughout the tournament – providing a brace of assists in three of his seven World Cup games – but was kept quiet by Cucurella's relentless defending.
Cucurella himself roared, “What a f** masterclass,” summing up a performance that overwhelmed the tournament favourites. Goals from Mikel Oyarzabal and Pedro Porro, one in each half, secured Spain's place in Sunday's showpiece event. The official Spain social media account released footage of the celebrations: players eating pizza, dancing to music, taking selfies. Defender Aymeric Laporte gave a thumbs-up before breathing a sigh of relief.
“Spain beat France 2-0 in World Cup semi-final; dressing room video shows players mocking France's Michael Olise.”
Dani Olmo captured the narrative arc already forming around the team. “It was written in the stars already,” he said. “We started in Atlanta, and we finish in New York. It’s close, it’s close.” Spain started their campaign in Atlanta with a group-stage win; the final will be played in New York. Their opponents will be decided on Wednesday night in Atlanta, where England face Argentina in the second semi-final at 8pm – a renewal of one of football's fiercest rivalries, and England's first meeting with Lionel Messi's side in 21 years.
For France, defeat means they will not go home yet. Les Bleus will stay in North America over the weekend to play the losers of England vs Argentina in the third-place play-off on Saturday night. Olise, who scored 22 times and provided 31 assists in 52 appearances for Bayern Munich last season, will have to wait another opportunity to add a World Cup medal to his collection.
The question now hanging over the tournament: can anyone stop this Spanish side before New York?