Didier Deschamps' final game as France manager was a thrilling but ultimately disappointing affair.
England dominated the first half, with goals from Declan Rice, Ezri Konsa, and two from Bukayo Saka leaving France trailing 4-0 at the break.
However, the French team showed a marked improvement after the interval, with Kylian Mbappe scoring twice and Bradley Barcola adding another to bring the deficit back to just one goal.
In the end, England's nerves were eased when Bukayo Saka completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot in the 87th minute, but Ousmane Dembele's injury-time goal set up a thrilling finale.
Jude Bellingham then sealed the win with a stunning solo goal, but the drama was not over there, as the final scoreline stood at 6-4 in England's favor.
France's Kounde was left frustrated by the first-half performance and the fact that the teams had to play the game at all, having already been eliminated from the tournament.
"We had a very, very bad first half for several reasons," the Barcelona defender said. "In the second half, we were much more up to the task of wearing the blue jersey."
"It wasn't enough, even though we had a lot of chances in the second half. We're all disappointed to finish with a second defeat and not to have been able to give the coach a win."
Deschamps has been in charge of France since 2012, but is stepping down after his latest World Cup effort.
He leaves behind a legacy of success, having won the 2018 World Cup and reached the final in 2022 and the European Championship final in 2016.
On his final words as France boss, Kounde revealed: "It was difficult; he was emotional for his last one. He expressed his gratitude for the years spent together, for this competition, and for everything we gave, even if we didn't do everything perfectly."
The team's positive team spirit and the joy they brought to the French fans are also what Deschamps will remember fondly, as he embarks on a new chapter in his career.
