France star becomes 'increasingly frustrated' with lack of World Cup minutes ahead of Morocco clash

France are preparing for their mouth-watering showdown against Morocco in the World Cup quarter-finals, but one of Didier Deschamps' stars has become angered by his lack of minutes.

At a swelteringly hot Philadelphia Stadium on Saturday, Kylian Mbappe's second-half penalty was enough to clinch a hard-earned 1-0 victory over surprise package Paraguay, who beat Germany on penalties in the previous round.

Having impressed with their free-flowing style throughout the tournament, Les Bleus had to show a different side to their game against the South Americans after winning by a solitary goal, and their upcoming clash against Morocco promises to be their toughest yet.

Morocco thrashed co-hosts Canada 3-0 in the last 16 to reach their second successive quarter-final, setting up a repeat of their 2022 semi-final against the former champions, and the build-up to Thursday's showdown has been dominated by Mbappe - but not in the way anyone would have liked.

While the joint-top scorer at this year's World Cup has been lauded for his irrepressible talent, the Real Madrid superstar has also been the subject of racial abuse by a member of Paraguay's Radical Liberal Party, Celeste Amarilla.

Mbappe condemned the Paraguayan senator as "despicable" and unworthy of her position after she made several comments mocking his origin and education in the aftermath of their defeat.

The 27-year-old will want to block out those remarks as he attempts to fire his side into another World Cup semi-final, and while he's the centrepiece of Deschamps' attack, one teammate is disappointed by his lack of minutes at this year's tournament.

France star frustrated by lack of World Cup minutes

Warren Zaire-Emery was one of five PSG players selected in the France squad before the World Cup, alongside Bradley Barcola, Desire Doue, Ousmane Dembele and Lucas Hernandez.

Dembele, Barcola and Doue have all featured prominently in a star-studded attack, while Zaire-Emery has been confined to the role of substitute in the opening five games.

The 20-year-old hasn't even been introduced from the bench by Deschamps, and according to Get French Football News, the versatile midfielder is becoming "increasingly frustrated" at his lack of playing time.

Zaire-Emery is reportedly "struggling" to cope with the situation and feels a sense of "bewilderment" that he hasn't been selected following an exceptional campaign at club level.

In a star-studded PSG side that won a second successive Champions League, the youngster made 54 appearances in all competitions and was a crucial player for Luis Enrique, even filling in at right-back.

Enrique waxed lyrical over the midfielder in February, labelling him a "wonderful" player.

"Warren has changed, but it's not thanks to me, it's thanks to him," Enrique said.

"He's an incredible player, he can play anywhere. For me, as a coach, it's wonderful to have a player like him."

Zaire-Emery will be hoping that an opportunity will present itself against Morocco, or beyond that if they get through, especially since Aurelien Tchouameni could miss the World Cup quarter-final with a thigh injury.

Tchouameni was absent for that reason against Paraguay, but Deschamps decided to partner Manu Kone and Adrien Rabiot in midfield instead.