Scotland's World Cup preparations hit a bump as Ivory Coast won 1-0 at Everton's Hill Dickinson Stadium in Liverpool, Nicolas Pepe's 12th-minute strike proving decisive. Steve Clarke's nine changes produced energy but not cohesion; second-half improvements offered encouragement, yet defensive lapses and a lack of cutting edge leave Scotland with questions ahead of the tournament in the USA.
Match overview — Ivory Coast 1, Scotland 0
Scotland fell 1-0 to Ivory Coast in a friendly at Everton's Hill Dickinson Stadium in Liverpool after Nicolas Pepe bundled home on 12 minutes. Despite greater intent than in their previous defeat, Scotland could not convert pressure into goals and remained vulnerable on the counter.
Scoreline and context
Andy Robertson made his 92nd appearance as captain, one of only two regulars kept in the side alongside Scott McTominay. Manager Steve Clarke made nine changes, fielding a 3-5-2 that aimed to give fringe players minutes and test attacking partnerships — George Hirst and Che Adams started as the two forwards.
Tactical takeaways — why the scoreline flattered Ivory Coast
Clarke's rotation injected energy but sacrificed cohesion. The 3-5-2 allowed Scotland to press and overload midfield phases at times, especially in the second half, yet transitions exposed the wing-backs and a back three that lacked understanding early on. That short-term disjoint handed Ivory Coast the chance to strike swiftly and then sit on a slender lead.
Offense: flashes but no finish
Scotland improved after the break and pressed with urgency, Hirst forcing two routine long-range efforts over the bar while the midfield pushed higher. However, the team repeatedly failed to fashion clear, high-quality opportunities in and around the box — a recurring problem that will need addressing before competitive matches.
Defense: worrying moments on the break
Scotland's defence showed both resilience and fragility. Nathan Patterson’s crucial tackle in the box denied Amad Diallo during a dangerous counter; substitute keeper Scott Bain produced a key save to stop the same attacker. Still, late pressure produced a post from Simon Adingra, underlining how thin the margin between a draw and a heavier defeat was.
Individual performances and squad notes
Andy Robertson led with composure, while Scott McTominay provided ballast in midfield. Fringe players earned valuable minutes: Lewis Ferguson and Scott Bain came on at half-time, the former adding midfield muscle and the latter keeping Scotland in the game with a sharp stop. Nicolas Pepe was decisive for Ivory Coast, compounding Scotland’s defensive sins early on.
Managerial implications
Clarke faces a balancing act: using friendlies to build squad depth without undermining match rhythm. The heavy rotation achieved the former but exposed alignment issues and a lack of clinical final third play. For a team returning to the World Cup after 28 years, clarity in selection and finishing consistency must improve quickly.
What this means for Scotland's World Cup preparation
The defeat is a timely alarm rather than a crisis. Positive signs in the second half suggest adaptability and incremental gains, but Scotland cannot rely on goodwill when group-stage opponents include Morocco, Brazil and Haiti in the USA. Defensive organization, chance creation, and a reliable goalscorer remain priorities.
Next steps
Scotland have two more warm-up matches — one confirmed against Curaçao and another opposing team yet to be finalised — before travelling to the World Cup in the United States. These fixtures should clarify selection questions and give Clarke time to settle defensive patterns and attacking identities.
Bottom line
A narrow loss that revealed both encouraging fight and uncomfortable weaknesses.
Scotland showed character after half-time, but the balance between experimentation and building a cohesive World Cup-ready XI remains the central challenge for Steve Clarke and his squad.
Sky Sports
