Watch: Pepe forces in only goal after positive Scotland start
Robertson becomes second most capped Scotland player ever
Two defeats in March for Scots after Japan loss
Both sides heading to World Cup this summer
FT: Ivory Coast 1-0 Scotland
That's all for tonight. Thanks for your company.
Scotland don't play again until 30 May, so focus quickly switches back to the domestic scene.
What twists does the Scottish Premiership race have in store this weekend?
FT: Ivory Coast 1-0 Scotland
Scotland head coach Steve Clarke: "Disappointed to lose again. Like always with friendlies, some things were good, some things bad.
"I thought we started the game really well. We got caught on the counter attack. We didn't react well to losing the goal. First half became a bit of a struggle.
"Second half, I thought we were excellent, we dominated the ball and asked them to defend. To be fair to Ivory Coast they defended very well.
"Sometimes you're hoping the ball will fall for you and it didn't fall for us tonight, but you have to make it fall for you. That's the little bit we need to get better at."
On his final squad selection, Clarke adds: "Still plenty of things can happen. I won't get too carried away. Going into previous tournaments I've lost players to injury."
And on his own future, Clarke says: "Most important thing is to get ready for the World Cup. My future can take care of itself whenever it does."
Image source, SNSFT: Ivory Coast 1-0 Scotland
International friendlies have always been pretty rubbish, so it's certainly not time to hit the panic button.
We'll hear what Scotland head coach Steve Clarke had to say in just a moment.
FT: Ivory Coast 1-0 Scotland
Did any of the fringe players make a case for a place at the World Cup over these past two games?
Not really, is the the blunt answer. And most of the places are sewn up already, barring injuries.
Scott Bain might have edged in front of Liam Kelly in the goalkeeper department, with Angus Gunn and the currently injured Craig Gordon looking like the first two picks.
FT: Ivory Coast 1-0 Scotland
Ivory Coast, Curacao and Bolivia, all teams Scotland have never played before.
Australia put five goals past Curacao earlier today.
FT: Ivory Coast 1-0 Scotland
Scotland are next in action against Curacao on 30 May at Hampden. Then the 26-man squad will head off to the World Cup.
There will one more friendly played in the USA, with Steve Clarke just revealing that Bolivia will be the opponents.
Bolivia will be taking part if they beat Iraq in Mexico in a play-off in a few hours time.
FT: Ivory Coast 1-0 Scotland
FT: Ivory Coast 1-0 Scotland
That's 10 clean sheets in 14 games for Ivory Coast.
Second choice goalkeeper Alban Lafont wasn't exactly overworked.
FT: Ivory Coast 1-0 Scotland
Rachel Corsie
Former Scotland captain on BBC Sportscene
Hirst was really lively. He won balls in the final third and didn't quite get a clear opportunity.
I felt it was a positive performance from him.
FT: Ivory Coast 1-0 Scotland
Scotland striker George Hirst tells BBC Scotland: "It was a tough game. We started on the front foot and were causing them issues, but we committed too many bodies forward and we got caught.
"We were a little bit sloppy at times, but second half we came out with a great mentality and got after them.
"All I can do is go out whenever I get an opportunity and play as well as I can. If I can keep doing that and doing it for Ipswich, it will stand me in good stead.
"I'm getting in the positions and on another day I would have come off with a couple of goals. Hopefully they start going in."
Image source, SNSFT: Ivory Coast 1-0 Scotland
Tom English
BBC Scotland chief sports writer on Sportsound
Scotland tried to play progressively, but too often they were undone by their own lack of accuracy.
They did show bravery and had 14 shots to Ivory Coast's 12. They had a lot of attacks and a lot of attitude, but they're just missing that bit of quality.
George Hirst worked his socks off, was aggressive, but nothing comes easy for a Scotland striker. He was dropping so deep, so it's really hard.
FT: Ivory Coast 1-0 Scotland
Scotland captain Andy Robertson tells BBC Scotland: "We changed the system and made nine changes. The manager is trying both systems.
"We caused them problems - last 20 minutes we were the team pushing forwards. It's one of those games.
"We want to win these games, but we're also trying stuff.
"We get caught on the counter for the goal, which can't really happen.
"It's up to us now to go back to our clubs and be really excited for the summer."
Image source, SNSFT: Ivory Coast 1-0 Scotland
Have we used up our quota of goals before the World Cup with those three stunners against Denmark?
FT: Ivory Coast 1-0 Scotland
Willie Miller
Former Scotland defender on BBC Sportsound
It was much better than against Japan.
We still have a problem finding the back of the net, that's for sure. We know we're not a nation that scores a lot of goals. The quality in the final third was lacking.
FT: Ivory Coast 1-0 Scotland
Nicolas Pepe gives Ivory Coast the lead
FT: Ivory Coast 1-0 Scotland
Midfielders Lennon Miller and Andy Irving are the only Scotland players not to have had any minutes over these two friendlies.
Grant Hanley wasn't listed among the substitutes this evening.
FT: Ivory Coast 1-0 Scotland
Woeful. We get 1 point in the USA if that.
Scott
Scotland's passing has, bar one magnificent long ball from McGinn, been utterly woeful tonight. Dire stuff.
Bryan
Given Scotland's shocking lack of goal prowess, persevering with woeful Dykes and Adams, plus the failure of Hirst and Conway to make an impact, begs the question, why the hesitation to give an intelligent footballer like Bowie a chance?
Andrew
FT: Ivory Coast 1-0 Scotland
James McFadden
Former Scotland forward on Sportscene
Not a great performance against Japan. A better performance tonight as we try to build momentum towards the World Cup.
FT: Ivory Coast 1-0 Scotland
Scotland had more shots (14-12) and more shots on target (4-3) but Ivory Coast twice went close to adding to their tally late in the game and Scotland didn't create one clear chance.
Lots for Steve Clarke to ponder as Scotland fail to score for the second game running.
It was certainly livelier than Saturday's drab defeat to Japan but was all a bit one dimensional, lumping in cross after cross in the second half.
Image source, SNSHighlights: Ivory Coast 1-0 Scotland
Much-changed Scotland ended their pre-World Cup camp by succumbing to a second successive friendly defeat against Ivory Coast at Everton's Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Former Arsenal winger Nicolas Pepe, now of Villarreal, tapped in the only goal after Elye Wahi hit the far post during a period of first-half dominance from the Ivorians.
Scottish football icons Sir Alex Ferguson and Sir Kenny Dalglish were in attendance as head coach Steve Clarke reverted to a 5-3-2 shape and handed second caps to defenders Dom Hyam and Ross McCrorie following Saturday's loss to Japan.
A lively start from the Scots fuelled hope they would respond to a flat weekend display, with Ryan Christie forcing a save and Kieran Tierney dragging wide before the former fired over.
But a potential goal-saving John Souttar block from a Pepe effort sparked a dominant spell from Ivory Coast, who are also World Cup-bound after qualifying without losing a game or conceding a goal.
The opener from Pepe - a £72m signing for Arsenal in 2019 - came while Scotland were stretched and they failed to recover, despite an improved second-half showing.
Ipswich striker George Hirst, arguably Scotland's best performer on the night, headed over and slammed off target when a pass was on.
Aside from that, Clarke's side forced the issue with set-plays - Hirst seeing a near-post header saved - but they were fortunate to not fall further behind on multiple occasions.
Souttar thwarted Guela Doue, who also nodded over a chance, goalkeeper Scott Bain - a half-time replacement for Liam Kelly - produced a stunning stop to deny Manchester United's Amad Diallo, and Simon Adingra clipped the woodwork.
Clarke now has plenty to ponder after two losses without scoring, with his squad set to reunite in May before jetting off the US.
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Clarke said he was disappointed to hear boos on the full-time whistle at Hampden on Saturday and some were audible again in Liverpool after a second straight defeat.
The Scotland head coach promised an "unrecognisable" team from the one that started the timid loss to Japan.
He delivered that and changed to his previously favoured shape, with captain Andy Robertson back at left-wing back and Kieran Tierney on the left of the back three.
That system switch would have prompted groans from sections of the Tartan Army who want to see a more adventurous set-up, but the head coach was right to point out pre-match that the formation helped take Scotland to back-to-back Euros.
However, after a lively start, the Scots struggled to cope in and out of possession, with distances between midfield and defence as wide as the River Mersey, especially after possession turned over.
The movement of the Ivorians caused major problems, while decision making in attack was also questionable, with positional discipline lacking from midfield trio Billy Gilmour, Ryan Christie and Scott McTominay.
The latter did, at least, manage to force Ivory Coast goalkeeper Alban Lafont into a smart first-half stop.
The half-time introduction of Lewis Ferguson helped cover gaps in the Scotland midfield, but there was a lack of imagination going the other way, with wastefulness on show after winning possession in promising areas.
Even throughout an ultimately glorious World Cup qualifying campaign, Scotland often relied on moments.
It is difficult to picture what a Scotland goal looks like at present, which is a concern given the level of opposition Clarke's men will face in the US.
Steve Clarke after Ivory Coast defeat
Scotland head coach Steve Clarke: "Like always with friendlies, some things were good, some things bad.
"I thought we started the game really well. We got caught on the counter attack and didn't react well to losing the goal. The first half became a bit of a struggle. Second half, I thought we were excellent, we dominated the ball and asked them to defend.
"Sometimes you're hoping the ball will fall for you and it didn't fall for us tonight, but you have to make it fall for you. That's the little bit we need to get better at."
Scotland captain Andy Robertson: "We caused them problems - last 20 minutes we were the team pushing forwards. It's one of those games.
"We want to win these games, but we're also trying stuff. We get caught on the counter for the goal, which can't really happen.
"It's up to us now to go back to our clubs and be really excited for the summer."
Scotland striker George Hirst: "It was a tough game. We were a little bit sloppy at times, but second half we came out with a great mentality and got after them.
"All I can do is go out whenever I get an opportunity and play as well as I can. If I can keep doing that and doing it for Ipswich, it will stand me in good stead."
'A lot to learn' - Robertson on Ivory Coast defeat
Scotland will get a Hampden send-off on 30 May when they face Curacao before heading to the US for a final pre-World Cup friendly against an unconfirmed opponent, likely against a South American side.
Their tournament kicks off on 14 June (02:00 BST) against Haiti in Boston, with group fixtures against Morocco and Brazil to follow.
After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users.
Manager:Emerse Faé
Formation:4 - 4 - 2
Manager:Steve Clarke
Formation:3 - 5 - 2
Manager:Emerse Faé
Formation:4 - 4 - 2
Manager:Steve Clarke
Formation:3 - 5 - 2
Friendlies
All competitions
Scotland and Côte d'Ivoire have never previously faced in any competition – the Scots have lost four of their previous seven matches against African nations (W2 D1), with this their first since a 2-2 draw with Nigeria in May 2014.
Côte d'Ivoire have lost their last two matches against European nations, losing 2-1 vs France and 3-0 vs England in March 2022 friendlies.
This will be Scotland’s first game played on English soil without facing England since May 2014, when they drew 2-2 in a friendly with Nigeria at Craven Cottage.
Scotland lost one-nil to Japan last time out, while attempting just eight shots and recording 10 touches in the opposition box. They last failed to score in consecutive matches in March 2024, in defeats to the Netherlands (0-4) and Northern Ireland (0-1).
Côte d'Ivoire have only lost two of their last 13 internationals (W8 D3), winning two of their last three by at least a three-goal margin (3-0 v Burkina Faso and 4-0 v Korea Republic). They have also kept nine clean sheets across these 13 games, conceding just seven times overall.
Ché Adams has scored five goals in his last six starts for Scotland, with no player netting more for the national team since the end of EURO 2024 (also five for Scott McTominay). The Tartan Army have a 100% record in matches when Adams has scored for them (9/9).
Amad Diallo has been directly involved in seven goals in his last nine games for Côte d'Ivoire (4 goals, 3 assists), including six in his last six starts (4 goals, 2 assists). He came off the bench to assist his team’s fourth goal in their victory over Korea Republic last time out.
Andy Robertson could win his 92nd cap for Scotland, which would see him move into outright second for the most in the national team’s history (overtaking Jim Leighton, 91). Only Kenny Dalglish (102) has played more often for Scotland.
