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Wales secured a tight 1-0 success against less-fancied opponents Liechtenstein to sustain their aspirations of World Cup finals qualifying.

The young midfielder scored his first goal for the national team from close range after Liechtenstein’s mix of full-time players, amateurs and part-timers had held out for over an hour. The scorer celebrated in elation with his obvious relief echoed by the three thousand Welsh supporters filling three sides of the stadium in Vaduz.

Soon afterwards, though, James was booked and another yellow for Ethan Ampadu ensured both midfielders are suspended for the upcoming crunch tie with North Macedonia through disciplinary issues.

That Cardiff City Stadium match is a clash the Welsh team have to secure victory in to overtake North Macedonia and secure a improved position in the final round in March.

Craig Bellamy had an different perspective from the stands, the Wales manager undertaking a technical area prohibition after being shown a further caution in the qualifiers previously.

Bellamy’s number two his assistant assumed duties in the technical area and four of Wales’s starters – Jordan James, Ampadu, Joe Rodon, Neco Williams – were at risk of suspension from missing the concluding match. A pair received cautions in situations that may damage their team.

The home side, placed 206 out of 210 teams in international football, had been goalless in their previous six losses and allowed twenty-three goals at an average of almost four per match.

Wales unsurprisingly had most of the play as their hosts lay in a deep defensive line and packed their defence.

Their opponent's target saw little action until Nathan Broadhead high press caused a mistake and James saw his effort from the 18-yard line saved by Büchel.

The same combination crafted an opportunity, Jordan locating his teammate this time with a precise pass over the top.

The attacker's excellent first touch beat the keeper but the attacker was unable to score from a narrow position.

Wales thought they had scored the opener after 26 minutes when Jordan James headed a lofted Thomas set-piece back into a crowded goal area.

The Liechtenstein keeper was flustered by Dylan Lawlor and Rodon, and his weak punch landed with Nathan Broadhead who finished powerfully. But Wales' joy were cut short when the referee was directed to the pitchside monitor and ruled that at least one of the Welsh centre-halves was in an offside from James’s initial touch.

Wales raised the tempo after the break and Sorba Thomas sent in a cross to the opposite side which Daniel James hit the woodwork.

Neco Williams then missed with a header from inside the goal area as it appeared like a frustrating evening for the Welsh side.

But, with the match having entered its final half-hour, Williams played a shrewd through ball for his teammate to run past the Liechtenstein defenders.

James bypassed the goalkeeper with a superb cross into the danger area, and his teammate Jordan James had the straightforward opportunity of ending Wales' tension.