What a game and what a campaign. Scotland bow out of the World Cup for the second consecutive time on goal difference. The Dutch were vanquished but the ghosts of Peru and Iran will haunt the Scots for years to come. Attention now turns to the European Championship and, beyond that, the small matter of another World Cup in 1982.

Meanwhile, we'll attempt to purge the memory of this World Cup exit and that song by Olivia Newton John & John Travolta.

Thanks for your company this afternoon. See you at the next World Cup...

In terms of a future Scotland manager should Ally MacLeod not get off to the best of starts in the European qualifiers, well, there's Jock Stein, of course, or how about the youthful Alex Ferguson who has done so well at St Mirren? They could do a job for their country.

You've got to fancy Andy Gray coming in to make a name for himself in this Scotland team. Dave Narey and Paul Hegarty at Dundee United, Ipswich Town's John Wark and Roy Aitken at Celtic could also add something. And when will Liverpool's elegant young central defender Alan Hansen become a regular in the Scotland set-up?

Bingbongbilly: "'Gemmill ... good play by Gemmill, and again ... 3-1!'"

After Scotland were taught a lesson by Peru's Hector Chumpitaz, Teofilo Cubillas and all and that draw with Iran, the squad's appearances on Blue Peter and Top of the Pops, their send-off from Hampden and their many product endorsements had started to embarrass a nation. However, today's performance has at least begun to restore some credibility. What a bizarre campaign.

Scotland and Ally's Army are marching home without the ultimate prize but Archie Gemmill's goal will be spoken about, described, dissected and remembered for years to come...

So, Peru progress as Group D winners with the Dutch pipping Scotland on goal difference. Scotland travelled to Argentina in such high spirits and with a steely intent of bringing back the World Cup but stuttering form in the opening two games against Peru and Iran proved costly.

Stephen Thomson: "NOOOOO!!! Scotland 3-2 Netherlands. It's just like the '78 World Cup when we played Holland... #hangonaminute #78Argentina"

Where does that leave Ally MacLeod? Will that performance have saved his position as Scotland manager for the forthcoming European Championships in 1980?

BBC Match Commentator David Coleman

"Scotland go out of the World Cup. But these players who have been so upset over the last week - they couldn't understand their form against Peru and Iran - can now go home and really look people in the face. It must be said too that Ally McLeod has found the right side too late. This was so much more like the Scotland we know."

BBC Match co-commentator Bobby Charlton

"It was a great all-round performance from the Jocks..."

Despite a battling and at times impressive winning display, Scotland bow out of the 1978 World Cup after failing to beat the Dutch by three clear goals...

BBC Match Commentator David Coleman

"It looked easier to score!"

What a miss! Hartford scurries in behind the Dutch defence to stand up a cross for Forsyth to meet at the back post but the Rangers defender somehow fails to hit the target from all of three yards. And with that surely Scotland's fading chances have finally gone.

Scotland have clearly been boosted by the 3,000 telegrams they received urging them to show what they could do against the Dutch following the 3-1 defeat by the South American champions Peru and the draw with Iran...who were not the South American champions.

Just under two minutes remaining and Scotland need two goals to avoid exiting the 1978 World Cup at the group stage.

Andy Boslem: "I've got 3-3 on my coupon... 1 more goal!!! #78Argentina"

Tony Lewis: "Just started watching. No idea of the score or minutes played, why don't the BBC have a permanent onscreen graphic for this? #78Argentina" It's 3-2 to Scotland, sir. Just a few minutes for Scotland to score twice!

Rene van de Kerkhof has a run at a tired Buchan down the left and the Manchester United defender is toiling to keep up as the Holland midfielder races into the penalty area to flash the ball across goal. Rough, anticipating a cross, edges away from his near post and is very nearly embarrassed as the ball whistles behind him but there is no one else around to profit from the keeper's misjudgement. Rough must've been dreaming of a blow dry at his local salon there...

BBC Match Commentator David Coleman

"It's really sad, with the ability the Scottish players have got, that they find themselves in this position."

Image source, SNS

Defender Tom Forsyth clashes with PSV Eindhoven's Willy van de Kerkhof.