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An 82nd-minute goal from substitute Eljero Elia saw Netherlands end Scotland's hopes of qualifying for South Africa 2010 with a 1-0 win at Hampden Park.

Elia broke away eight minutes from time to squash Scottish hopes that had earlier been raised, particularly during a first half in which Kenny Miller twice came close to giving George Burley's side a merited lead.

A cross-shot from the striker struck the bar and he then failed to beat Dutch goalkeeper Michel Vorm from close range after Steven Naismith's shot had rebounded off a post.

Scotland could not build on an impressive first-half showing, and, although Miller again came close in the second period, the hosts eventually fell victim to a Dutch counter-attack.

A misjudged clearance from David Weir saw the ball arrive at the feet of Elia who took the ball around the impressive David Marshall and finished into an empty net.

Defeat, coupled with Norway's win over Macedonia, condemns Scotland to third place in Group 9. It may prove to be an inauspicious ending to the managerial reign of Burley, but the evening started full of optimism, with the home side roared on by vociferous Hampden support.

Just four minutes had elapsed when Dirk Kuyt took aim from 20 yards out and struck a shot that hit the outside of Marshall's left-hand post.

If that appeared to be an ominous portent for the home team, it was actually the prelude to an unexpected Scottish charge.

On 10 minutes, Scott Brown, stretching every sinew, failed to direct a raking cross from Alan Hutton on target.

Wesley Sneijder forced a fairly comfortable save from Marshall but moments later the keeper passed a more stringent test. Faced one-on-one with Arjen Robben, the Cardiff City keeper stood firm to repel the winger's effort.

Next came Miller's first flirtation with an opening goal, the striker sending a looping cross-shot over the head of the stranded Vorm but the ball rebounded back off the crossbar.

Seven minutes before half-time came a gilt-edged chance for Miller. Vorm had got the slightest of touches to divert Naismith's long-range shot on to his right-hand post, but the ball fell invitingly for Miller who had only to pick his spot to give Scotland the lead. Instead his shot was too close to the sprawling arms of Vorm.

Scotland failed to muster a repeat performance in the second period, with the Dutch mastery of possession becoming increasingly evident.

With 63 minutes on the clock, Marshall thwarted Robben after the Bayern Munich man had turned inside Hutton.

The firmest indication yet that it was not to be Scotland's night came 20 minutes from time when the luckless Miller saw a close-range shot squirm through the grasp of Vorm and the ball drop agonisingly wide of the far post.

Scotland continued to press for the winner, albeit with diminishing conviction, but a cruel fate befell Weir eight minutes from time when he inadvertently ushered in Elia for the all-important goal.

Elia had been on the pitch only nine minutes when he found the ball at his feet and the substitute composed himself before dispatching his shot and with it the hosts' hopes.

The home side sought a late equaliser in vain - a chip from substitute Garry O'Connor the closest they came.

In ending Scotland's hopes, Netherlands secured an eighth win out of eight in Group 9. It is 28 years since a side last advanced to a World Cup finals with a 100 per cent record in qualifying.

It will seem an even longer wait for Scotland before they have another shot at a World Cup.

Norway 2-1 Macedonia

Norway secured second place in Group 9 and put themselves in with a chance of a play-off spot when they beat Macedonia 2-1 at home in their final group game.

Scotland's 1-0 defeat by the Netherlands, who were already assured of qualification as group winners, handed Norway their opportunity and they took it with a slightly nervy victory.

Early goals from Thorstein Helstad and John Arne Riise set Norway on their way and they held on despite Boban Grncarov's goal with a little over 10 minutes to go.

With the group completed, and Norway finishing in second place with 10 points and a superior goal difference to Scotland, they must now wait to see if they are one of the eight best second-place teams that go into the two-legged play-offs.

That will only become clear once the groups made up of six teams have completed their matches.

Chris Stanton / Eurosport