Cote d'Ivoire 1-0 Scotland result – Nicolas Pepe scores inside 12 minutes as Steve Clarke's side suffers back-to-back defeats ahead of World Cup

Nicolas Pepe’s tap in from close range inside 12 minutes was the difference as Cote d’Ivoire edged Scotland 1-0, with Steve Clarke’s side suffering back-to-back defeats in the international break.

The Scotland manager made nine changes from the side which lost in the 84th minute against Japan on Saturday, with the only survivors being Scott McTominay and Andy Robertson – who moved up to second in the all-time list with 92 caps for his country.

Scotland started brightly against the 2025 AFCON quarter-finalists, with Bournemouth’s Ryan Christie forcing goalkeeper Alban Lafont to push wide inside three minutes.

However, it would be the night’s hosts Cote d’Ivoire who took an early lead inside 12 minutes when Villarreal’s Nicolas Pepe threaded the ball through to Elye Wahi, whose shot bounced off the post into Pepe’s path to tap home from close range.

The goal would leave Steve Clarke’s side shell-shocked as they struggled to regain composure and were all too easily victims of wasteful passes and indecision.

McTominay woke up the Scottish faithful with an effort from outside of the box before forced out for a corner by Lafont.

An improvement in the second half would see Scotland push for an equaliser but the second half would see both sides struggle to threaten in the final third.

Scott Bain, who came on at half-time to replace Liam Kelly in goal, was largely a spectator in the second half before being called into action when Manchester United’s Amad Diallo low drive was pushed out for a corner, whilst substitute Simon Adingra rattled the upright.

A late burst at the Hill Dickinson Stadium in the dying minutes saw Andy Robertson find Lyndon Dykes at the back post, with a Bazoumana Toure denying the Charlton striker on his 50th cap.

Steve Clarke’s side will face Curacao in May 30 in their final international friendly before their 2026 FIFA World Cup opener against Haiti on June 14, whilst Cote d’Ivoire get their World Cup underway against Ecuador on June 15.

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Despite a late burst in the closing stages from Scotland with Dykes' denied a header at the back post from Robertson's cross, it ends 1-0 to Cote d'Ivoire.

Nicolas Pepe's goal in the 12th minute remains the difference.

He's slipping as he lines up his shot from just outside of the box and Scotland are saved by the upright.

Brilliant by the Falkirk goalkeeper.

He's had very little to do and has been a spectator much of this second half but he was brilliant there to deny Amad Diallo and push his low drive out for a corner.

Massive block from Doue to deny Robertson as a quick piece of play from McLean and McGinn plays in Robertson, who sees his effort blocked.

The Scotland captain sends in another threatening free-kick to find John Souttar and the Cote d'Ivoire goalkeeper is left rooted as an effort goes wide.

For Scotland, Tommy Conway and Lyndon Dykes come on to replace Che Adams and George Hirst.

Whilst Evann Guessand, who scored against South Korea on Saturday, replaces Elye Wahi, who has had a bright game for his country.

And it's a dangerous one at the near post. Hirst heads it towards goal and it appears to hit the knee of an Cote d'Ivoire player and the ball is hoofed away with an overhead clearance.

The substitute takes sight of goal but it's always going high and wide of the target once it left his foot.

Andy Robertson launches a free-kick into the box directed at the back post to find Lewis Ferguson, but he's unable to convert and it gets a deflection to go out for a corner.

The corner is quickly cleared by Cote d'Ivoire, who break forward themselves.

Kenny McLean and John McGinn are on to replace Billy Gilmour and Ryan Christie.

Two players who could change this game for Scotland.

Amad Diallo comes on to replace Benie Traore, whilst tonight's goalscorer Nicolas Pepe is replaced by Simon Adingra.

Brilliant corner into the box and the substitute Guela Doue leaps the highest but is unable to keep his header down.

Very much end-to-end stuff at the moment as the Ivorian's ready their next couple of changes.

The Ipswich man launches a shot from just outside of the box but he's slightly rushed and off-balanced as it soars over the crossbar.

And there's another change for Scotland as Everton's Nathan Patterson replaces Ross McCrorie.

And here's those changes.

Ousmane Diomande is replaced by Emmanuel Agbadou, whilst Guela Doue replaces Ghislain Konan.

Che Adams meets Andy Robertson's cross into the box, but his header is easily claimed by Lafont in goal.

It looks like Cote d'Ivoire are going to make a couple of changes.

Cote d'Ivoire break forward down the right flank with Wahi moving into the box with the ball. Ross McCrorie tracks back and makes the block before the offside flag is raised.