Spain just delivered the tournament's standout performance, booting heavily-favored France out of the FIFA World Cup semifinals! But the real fireworks kicked off *after* the final whistle, with footage hitting X showing midfielder Fabian Ruiz absolutely lighting up French star Michael Olise. Ruiz was caught on camera telling his teammate Marc Cucurella, who completely locked down Olise all game, "You devoured him. Take him out of your pocket." Can you even imagine that kind of locker room energy? This team is feeling themselves, and it's awesome.
The Masterclass on the Field
This wasn't just a win, it was a total tactical masterclass from Luis de la Fuente's squad. They were firing on all cylinders, completely neutralizing France's dangerous attacking unit, which featured heavy hitters like Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé, and the now infamous Michael Olise. Goals from Mikel Oyarzabal and Pedro Porro sealed the deal, propelling Spain into only their second-ever World Cup final. Olise, the Bayern Munich star, had virtually zero impact on the game before getting subbed out in the 71st minute. Marc Cucurella, who just completed a big summer move to Real Madrid, had him on a leash all match long. When a team shuts down an attack like that, you know they mean business.The Locker Room Vibe and Coach's Confidence
The locker room footage captures pure, unadulterated jubilation. And after Ruiz's savage jab at Olise, you could hear Cucurella himself screaming, "What a f------ masterclass!" That's the kind of raw, unapologetic confidence that separates good teams from championship contenders. Coach De la Fuente absolutely nailed it post-match, stating, "The message was that we were up against one of the best teams in the world, but that they were up against the best team in the world." He’s seeing a team overflowing with commitment, solidarity, and sheer talent, making the impossible look easy. De la Fuente believes this squad has truly "recaptured the spirit of 2010," when they last won it all. The character of this team is undeniable, shown by how even the players who didn't get minutes stayed behind to train after the game. "This team never ceases to amaze me. The scope for improvement is endless," he added. This isn't just a team, it's a movement!Final Showdown Ahead
So, Spain now officially shifts its laser focus to Sunday's World Cup final. They'll be watching Wednesday's nail-biting semifinal clash between England and Argentina, which is happening at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, to see who their opponent will be. Spain, who are also the defending UEFA European champions, are back in a place they haven't been in 16 years, since that epic 1-0 extra time win against the Netherlands in South Africa. This squad is peaking at the perfect time, a "labour of love, a process," as De la Fuente described it. Get ready for a massive Sunday showdown, because Spain is bringing all the heat, confidence, and swagger to the biggest stage!This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.