Scotland fall to Ivory Coast in Liverpool friendly, Pepe score early goal

Wahala dey for Scotland national team as dem collect one goal wey make dem lose to Ivory Coast for friendly match wey dem play for Liverpool. The match wey play for Hill Dickinson Stadium on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, end 1-0 in favour of Ivory Coast. Pepe, the Ivory Coast player, score the only goal for the match early for first half, and Scotland no fit find equaliser despite all their efforts.

For the match wey be part of ‘Road to 26‘ series, both teams dey prepare for 2026 FIFA World Cup wey go hold for North America. Scotland manager Steve Clarke specifically request to play against strong African opposition like Ivory Coast because dem go face Morocco for their World Cup group stage. But as e be now, the preparation no too sweet as dem lose.

The goal wey decide the match come early. Pepe force ball enter net after positive start from Scotland. Liam Kelly, the Scotland goalkeeper wey start the match, dey stand like statue as Pepe come in. Many pundits and fans dey complain say Kelly reaction poor, e just dey watch as ball enter net. After the goal, Scotland goalkeeper change for second half as Scott Bain replace am.

Scotland try wella to come back for second half. Scott McTominay get chance from 20 yards but Alban Lafont, Ivory Coast goalkeeper, push the ball away. Corner kick wey follow from Billy Gilmour no reach anywhere. Andy Robertson, wey become second most capped Scotland player ever for this match, try to deliver good crosses but Che Adams no fit connect well.

Former Scotland captain Rachel Corsie talk say she no think say too much problem dey for Scotland play, but dem need to get momentum back. James McFadden, another former Scotland player, talk say Scotland need to play more forward runs like dem do for first 10 minutes of the match. Charlie Adam complain say distances between Scotland players too big and dem no dey aggressive enough.

This na first-ever senior meeting between Scotland and Ivory Coast. The match hold for Everton new stadium wey just open for August 2025. E serve as test event before Euro 2028 wey go hold for the stadium. BBC Scotland and BBC Two show the match live for UK, while people for US fit watch am on FOX Sports or FuboTV.

Steve Clarke make some changes from the team wey play Japan last time. John McGinn, Scott McTominay, and Nathan Patterson all play. For Ivory Coast side, dem bring strong squad including Amad Diallo and Evann Guessand as dem dey prepare for World Cup after quarter-final exit for Africa Cup of Nations.

As the match dey go on, Scotland ball movement dey sweet but final delivery no dey sharp. Dem dey miss passes and give ball away cheaply. Billy Gilmour even make strong tackle on Christ Inao Oulai wey make people wonder if this one na friendly match. The game get small scruffy moments as Scotland struggle to find rhythm.

Fans wey dey comment for social media dey complain about Scotland performance. One fan wey dem call Dave talk say e no believe how Scotland dey miss passes. Another fan wey dem call Mark blame Liam Kelly lack of game time for the poor goalkeeping wey lead to goal. Some people even compare the match to when Scotland play Japan before.

Now, both teams go continue their World Cup preparation. Scotland need to work on their finishing and defensive coordination before the big tournament start. Ivory Coast show say dem fit compete with European teams as dem dey build confidence for their own World Cup campaign. The match serve as important lesson for both sides as dem dey countdown to 2026.