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The Welsh side secured a tight 1-0 win against international minnows Liechtenstein to maintain their hopes of World Cup finals qualifying.

The young midfielder scored his debut goal for the national team from close range after Liechtenstein’s assorted collection of professionals, office workers and students had defended for the majority of the match. The scorer ran off in elation with his obvious relief mirrored by the 3,000 Welsh supporters filling three sides of the venue in the capital.

Soon afterwards, yet, James was cautioned and another yellow for his midfield partner ensured both midfielders are suspended for Tuesday’s decisive game with North Macedonia through accumulated bookings.

The Cardiff City Stadium contest is a game Wales must win to leapfrog North Macedonia and secure a better seeding in the playoffs in March.

The Wales manager had an unfamiliar view from the dugout, Bellamy serving a sideline suspension after being shown a further caution in the tournament earlier.

Bellamy’s assistant his assistant assumed duties in the coaching zone and multiple first-teamers – Jordan James, Ethan Ampadu, Joe Rodon, Williams – were one caution from from missing the concluding match. Two of them received cautions in incidents that might hamper their team.

The home side, ranked among the lowest-ranked in global rankings, had been goalless in their six qualifying defeats and conceded 23 goals at an rate of around four per match.

Wales as expected controlled the ball as Liechtenstein employed a compact shape and packed their defence.

Liechtenstein's net remained unthreatened until the forward's chasing down won possession and James saw his attempt from the penalty area pushed aside by the goalkeeper.

The same combination created another chance, James finding Broadhead now with a accurate ball over the top.

Broadhead’s excellent touch beat Büchel but the Wrexham striker was unable to score from a narrow position.

Wales felt they scored the opener after 26 minutes when Jordan James directed a lofted Thomas set-piece back into a congested goal area.

Büchel was harassed by Lawlor and Joe Rodon, and his poor clearance fell to Nathan Broadhead who finished powerfully. But Welsh celebrations were halted when the referee was directed to the video review system and determined that a player of the Wales central defenders was in an illegal position from James’s initial touch.

Wales stepped up a gear after the interval and Sorba Thomas provided a ball to the far post which Daniel James struck the woodwork.

Williams then directed his header off target from within the penalty box as it started to seem like a difficult match for the Welsh side.

Yet, with the contest having ticked into its second half, Neco Williams played a shrewd assist for Daniel James to run past the Liechtenstein defenders.

Daniel James bypassed the goalkeeper with a excellent cross along the six-yard box, and his teammate Jordan James had the easy job of easing Welsh nerves.