🔗 Share this article

Wales earned a narrow 1-0 success against underdogs Liechtenstein to sustain their aspirations of World Cup qualifying.

Wales' James claimed his debut goal for Wales from close range after the home side's group of full-time players, amateurs and students had held out for the majority of the match. The scorer celebrated in joy with his visible excitement mirrored by the large contingent of Wales supporters packed into three sides of the Rheinpark Stadion in the capital.

Moments later, though, James was shown a yellow card and another late caution for his midfield partner means the pair are unavailable for Tuesday’s crunch tie with North Macedonia through accumulated bookings.

The Cardiff City Stadium contest is a clash the Welsh team have to secure victory in to overtake North Macedonia and obtain a more favourable position in the final round in next spring.

Bellamy had an unusual vantage point from the stands, the head coach undertaking a technical area prohibition after picking up a second yellow card in the tournament previously.

The manager's number two Cremers assumed duties in the technical area and multiple first-teamers – Jordan James, Ethan Ampadu, Rodon, Williams – were one caution from from being absent for the last group game. Both James and Ampadu were booked in incidents that may damage Wales.

The home side, situated near the bottom in world football, had failed to score in their winless run and conceded 23 goals at an rate of around four per match.

Wales as expected had most of the play as their hosts lay in a compact shape and packed their defence.

The home goal was rarely tested until Nathan Broadhead pressing forced an error and Jordan James saw his effort from the 18-yard line parried by Büchel.

The same combination created another chance, James finding his teammate this time with a well-weighted pass into space.

Broadhead’s superb first touch evaded the keeper but the forward could not convert from a difficult angle.

Wales thought they had broken the deadlock after the opening period when James directed a lofted Sorba Thomas set-piece back into a crowded six-yard box.

Büchel was harassed by Lawlor and Joe Rodon, and his feeble attempt fell to Broadhead who drove home emphatically. But Welsh celebrations were curtailed when the match official was instructed to the VAR screen and decided that one or more of the Welsh defenders was in an offside from James’s initial touch.

The visitors increased the pressure after the break and Thomas sent in a centering pass to the back post which the winger hit the crossbar.

Neco Williams then missed with a header from within the penalty box as it started to seem like a difficult match for Wales.

But, with the contest having ticked into its 61st minute, Williams played a shrewd pass for Daniel James to run past the Liechtenstein defenders.

Daniel James beat the goalkeeper with a superb ball into the danger area, and his namesake Jordan James had the easy job of easing Wales' anxiety.