As England followed up Saturday's triumph over Switzerland with a dominant performance, Borussia Dortmund teenager Jude Bellingham put in an amazing individual effort.
Before former Tottenham defender Serge Aurier's departure - when he was awarded a second yellow card for dissent - five minutes before the break, the hosts were well in control and ahead thanks to Ollie Watkins' close-range strike.
On the stroke of half-time, Raheem Sterling, the night's captain and provider of Watkins' 30th-minute opener, made it 2-0, virtually eliminating the game as a battle. Tyrone Mings' injury-time header brought the game to a close.
Bellingham puts his money where his mouth is.
Southgate made ten changes from the side that overcame Switzerland 2-1 after coming from behind, starting Bellingham at number ten.
And how the Dortmund star, who will turn 19 in June, reveled in the responsibility with yet another remarkably mature performance that just underlined how at ease he is at the international level.
Bellingham has already proven his class and quality for England and his club in the Bundesliga and the Champions League. For this exceptionally brilliant boy, the sky is truly the limit.
England is unconcerned about the Elephants.
In the end, England cruised to victory over an Ivory Coast side that offered little in the way of attacking intent, producing only a few strong challenges in defiance of the host side's supremacy.
When James Ward-Prowse was replaced after almost scoring with a signature long-range drive, the Wembley crowd booed him, but Manchester United captain Harry Maguire did not get the similar reception.
Despite Maguire's poor success at club level, England boss Southgate has stuck with him, but some of the home fans were not so forgiving, with audible jeers greeted his name when it was given out before kick-off and again with his first touches.
Other than that, it was a quiet night for Maguire, who, despite his problems at Old Trafford, has rarely let England wrong.
On his 69th appearance for England, Harry Kane was limited to a cameo as a second-half substitute, thus he did not receive the chance to score his 50th goal.
Southgate will have hoped for a confident performance like this, with the extra benefit of giving his squad more experience. Following a debut against Switzerland, Crystal Palace full-back Tyrick Mitchell was able to breeze through his first start.
England will now await the announcement of their World Cup group opponents at Friday's draw in Qatar, before facing Hungary in a Uefa Nations League match in Budapest in June.
