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The Welsh side earned a narrow 1-0 win over less-fancied opponents Liechtenstein to sustain their aspirations of World Cup qualification.

Jordan James claimed his debut international strike for Wales from close range after Liechtenstein’s assorted collection of professionals, office workers and students had held out for the majority of the match. James celebrated in delight with his clear emotion mirrored by the three thousand Wales fans occupying most sections of the stadium in the capital.

Moments later, however, James was shown a yellow card and another booking for Ethan Ampadu ensured both midfielders are suspended for the upcoming decisive game with their next opponents due to accumulated bookings.

The Wales' ground contest is a game the Welsh team must win to move above North Macedonia and secure a more favourable seeding in the playoffs in next spring.

Bellamy had an unfamiliar vantage point from the dugout, the Wales manager serving a touchline ban after being shown a additional booking in the qualifiers previously.

Bellamy’s deputy Piet Cremers stood in in the technical area and four of Wales’s starters – James, Ampadu, Rodon, Neco Williams – were a booking away from being absent for the last group game. A pair came unstuck in moments that could really hurt their team.

Their opponents, placed among the lowest-ranked in world football, had not scored in their six qualifying defeats and conceded twenty-three goals at an rate of nearly four per match.

The visitors unsurprisingly controlled the ball as Liechtenstein adopted a deep defensive line and defended in numbers.

Liechtenstein's net was rarely tested until the forward's chasing down won possession and James saw his attempt from the 18-yard line parried by Benjamin Büchel.

That pairing created another chance, Jordan locating Broadhead this time with a precise ball over the top.

Broadhead’s fine control took him past the keeper but the Wrexham striker failed to finish from a narrow position.

The Welsh team thought they had taken the lead after the opening period when James headed a high Thomas set-piece back into a crowded goal area.

Büchel was under pressure by Lawlor and Rodon, and his feeble attempt landed with Broadhead who finished powerfully. But Wales' joy were halted when the match official was instructed to the video review system and determined that at least one of the Wales defenders was in an offside position from James’s initial touch.

The visitors stepped up a gear after the break and Thomas sent in a cross to the opposite side which Daniel James struck the crossbar.

Williams then missed with a header from inside the six-yard box as it appeared like one of those nights for the Welsh side.

However, with the game having ticked into its final half-hour, Neco Williams played a clever assist for his teammate to run past the Liechtenstein defenders.

James bypassed the goalkeeper with a excellent pass along the six-yard box, and his namesake Jordan had the easy opportunity of relieving Wales' nerves.