French star Kylian Mbappe was pictured laughing after England captain Harry Kane fired his second penalty over the crossbar, as the reigning world champions earned a 2-1 victory in the quarter-finals in Qatar.
Kane had earlier brought his side level from the spot after Aurelien Tchouameni's first half opener, equalling Wayne Rooney's England goalscoring record in the process.
The 29-year-old was required to repeat the feat in the 84th minute when England awarded a second penalty, just minutes after Olivier Giroud had headed France back in front.
Kane faced his Tottenham team-mate Hugo Lloris for the second time in the dying minutes, but the goalkeeper was not required as the England captain sent the spot-kick over the crossbar.
The miss prompted a ruthless reaction from Mbappe, with the French superstar pictured brutally laughing on broadcast images.
Mbappe had previously suffered his own penalty heartbreak with France, after missing the decisive kick in his nation's shock shootout defeat to Switzerland at Euro 2020.
England were left to rue the penalty miss with Gareth Southgate's side unable to find a late equaliser.
Kane had been asked in the build-up to the match about the prospect of facing his Tottenham team-mate Lloris should England be awarded a penalty.
Kane, who has now missed three penalties this season, had admitted he had not faced Lloris often from the spot in training.
'Normally the starting keeper doesn't face them in the day before the game,' Kane had said. 'Against any goalkeeper, I just stick to my process and my routine, go through training the day before the game.'
France will now set their sights on Morocco as Didier Deschamps' side seek to defend their title.
Morocco had earlier earned a surprise 1-0 win over Portugal, becoming the first African nation to reach the World Cup semi-finals in the process.