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Wales claimed a tight 1-0 win against less-fancied opponents Liechtenstein to keep alive their hopes of World Cup finals qualifying.

The young midfielder notched his first international strike for the national team from inside the box after the home side's mix of full-time players, amateurs and students had defended for over an hour. The scorer ran off in elation with his clear emotion shared by the large contingent of Welsh fans occupying most sections of the venue in Vaduz.

Shortly after, yet, James was booked and a further yellow for his midfield partner resulted in the pair are suspended for the upcoming decisive game with their next opponents due to accumulated bookings.

That Cardiff City Stadium fixture is a encounter Wales must win to overtake North Macedonia and guarantee a more favourable draw in the final round in March.

Bellamy had an unfamiliar view from the sidelines, the head coach undertaking a technical area prohibition after receiving a additional booking in the competition previously.

The manager's deputy his assistant assumed duties in the technical area and four of Wales’s starters – James, Ethan Ampadu, Joe Rodon, Williams – were at risk of suspension from sitting out the last group game. A pair were booked in moments that might hamper Wales.

Their opponents, ranked among the lowest-ranked in world football, had been goalless in their winless run and conceded twenty-three times at an average of around four per game.

Wales predictably dominated possession as their hosts employed a low defensive block and packed their defence.

The home goal was rarely tested until Nathan Broadhead chasing down won possession and James saw his attempt from the edge of the box parried by the goalkeeper.

The same combination crafted an opportunity, James locating Broadhead this time with a accurate pass over the top.

Broadhead’s fine touch took him past Büchel but the forward failed to finish from a narrow position.

Wales believed they'd scored the opener after the first half when James headed a deep Sorba Thomas corner back into a congested penalty box.

Büchel was harassed by Dylan Lawlor and Joe Rodon, and his poor clearance fell to Nathan Broadhead who scored decisively. But Welsh elation were curtailed when the official was directed to the video review system and decided that at least one of the Welsh centre-halves was in an offside position from James’s header.

The visitors raised the tempo after the half-time and Sorba Thomas delivered a centering pass to the back post which Daniel James rattled against the frame of the goal.

Neco Williams then missed with a header from inside the six-yard box as it started to seem like a difficult match for the Welsh side.

But, with the game having ticked into its final half-hour, Williams delivered a clever through ball for Daniel James to break behind the opposition backline.

James beat the goalkeeper with a delightful pass into the danger area, and his teammate Jordan James had the straightforward opportunity of ending Wales' anxiety.