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The Welsh side claimed a tight 1-0 victory over less-fancied opponents Liechtenstein to sustain their aspirations of World Cup finals qualifying.

Jordan James claimed his debut goal for Wales from near the goal after Liechtenstein’s group of full-time players, amateurs and students had held out for over an hour. The scorer ran off in joy with his visible excitement mirrored by the 3,000 Welsh supporters packed into most sections of the Rheinpark Stadion in the capital.

Soon afterwards, though, James was shown a yellow card and another yellow for his midfield partner resulted in the two players are unavailable for the upcoming decisive game with North Macedonia through suspension.

The Wales' ground fixture is a encounter Wales need to win to leapfrog North Macedonia and guarantee a improved position in the qualifying playoffs in March.

The Wales manager had an different perspective from the dugout, the Wales manager completing a technical area prohibition after receiving a additional booking in the qualifiers earlier.

Bellamy’s deputy Cremers assumed duties in the technical area and several key players – Jordan James, Ethan Ampadu, Joe Rodon, Neco Williams – were one caution from from missing the concluding match. Both James and Ampadu received cautions in moments that could really hurt their team.

The home side, placed near the bottom in global rankings, had been goalless in their six qualifying defeats and allowed twenty-three goals at an rate of around four per match.

Wales as expected had most of the play as Liechtenstein lay in a low defensive block and got bodies behind the ball.

The home goal remained unthreatened until Broadhead pressing forced an error and James saw his effort from the 18-yard line saved by Büchel.

A similar move crafted an opportunity, James locating Broadhead this time with a precise ball behind the defence.

Broadhead’s fine first touch took him past the keeper but the Wrexham striker was unable to score from a tight angle.

Wales felt they taken the lead after the first half when James directed a lofted Thomas set-piece back into a crowded goal area.

The Liechtenstein keeper was harassed by Lawlor and Rodon, and his poor clearance reached Nathan Broadhead who scored decisively. But Wales' elation were cut short when the official was directed to the video review system and ruled that a player of the Welsh central defenders was in an offside position from James’s initial touch.

Wales raised the tempo after the interval and Sorba Thomas delivered a cross to the back post which James rattled against the frame of the goal.

Neco Williams then directed his header off target from within the six-yard box as it began to look like one of those nights for the Welsh side.

Yet, with the game having entered its second half, Williams executed a clever through ball for his teammate to break behind the home defence.

Daniel James cut out the goalkeeper with a delightful ball across the face of goal, and his namesake Jordan James had the straightforward job of ending Wales' anxiety.