Scotland suffer second straight defeat as Nicolas Pepe seals Ivory Coast friendly win | OneFootball

Scotland suffered a second consecutive loss, falling 1-0 to Ivory Coast in an international friendly match at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Tuesday evening.

Scotland started on the front foot and created the first real chance, with Ryan Christie calling goalkeeper Alban Lafont to action from a rebound.

Ivory Coast opened the scoring in the 12th minute. Elye Wahi’s shot came back off the post, and former Arsenal forward Nicolas Pepe reacted quickly, scoring from close range.

Wahi came close to doubling the Elephants’ lead, firing a shot from range, but his effort could only land on the roof of the net.

Scotland reacted swiftly at the other end, with Lafont parrying Scott McTominay’s 20-yard strike away, marking the last chance before the interval.

The second half started frenetically, but neither side could fashion a genuine opportunity until Che Adams headed a cross straight into Lafont.

Christ Inao squandered a big chance to double Ivory Coast’s lead, heading over from a very promising position.

George Hirst came close to drawing Scotland level, meeting John McGinn’s corner with a clever flick, but his effort was superbly kept out.

Goalkeeper Scott Bain denied Manchester United’s Amad Diallo a second goal for Ivory Coast, while Simon Adingra struck the woodwork before full-time.

Scotland face Curacao in another friendly on May 30, before taking on Haiti in their World Cup opening match on June 14.