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Wales secured a tight 1-0 victory over underdogs Liechtenstein to sustain their chances of World Cup qualifying.

The young midfielder scored his debut goal for Wales from near the goal after Liechtenstein’s mix of professionals, amateurs and students had resisted for the majority of the match. James celebrated in delight with his obvious relief mirrored by the 3,000 Wales fans occupying most sections of the stadium in Vaduz.

Soon afterwards, yet, James was cautioned and a further late caution for his midfield partner means both midfielders are ruled out for the upcoming decisive game with North Macedonia due to accumulated bookings.

That Cardiff City Stadium fixture is a game Wales must win to leapfrog North Macedonia and guarantee a improved seeding in the final round in next spring.

Bellamy had an different perspective from the stands, the head coach completing a touchline ban after receiving a second yellow card in the competition last month.

Bellamy’s number two Cremers stood in in the technical area and four of Wales’s starters – James, Ampadu, Rodon, Neco Williams – were at risk of suspension from sitting out the concluding match. Two of them were booked in incidents that could really hurt their team.

Liechtenstein, placed 206 out of 210 teams in world football, had not scored in their six qualifying defeats and allowed twenty-three times at an average of nearly four per fixture.

Wales unsurprisingly had most of the play as their hosts adopted a low defensive block and got bodies behind the ball.

Their opponent's target was rarely tested until the forward's pressing won possession and James saw his effort from the 18-yard line parried by Benjamin Büchel.

The same combination worked the next opening, James finding his teammate on this occasion with a precise delivery over the top.

Broadhead’s superb touch evaded the keeper but the attacker could not convert from a narrow position.

Wales felt they scored the opener after 26 minutes when Jordan James directed a deep Sorba Thomas set-piece back into a crowded penalty box.

Büchel was harassed by Dylan Lawlor and Joe Rodon, and his feeble attempt fell to Broadhead who finished powerfully. But Welsh celebrations were halted when the referee was directed to the video review system and decided that at least one of the Wales central defenders was in an illegal position from Jordan's initial touch.

Wales stepped up a gear after the break and Thomas delivered a cross to the opposite side which James struck the frame of the goal.

Neco Williams then headed wide from inside the goal area as it started to seem like one of those nights for Wales.

But, with the game having entered its final half-hour, Neco Williams played a intelligent through ball for Daniel James to break behind the home defence.

Daniel James beat Büchel with a delightful ball across the face of goal, and his teammate Jordan James had the straightforward opportunity of ending Wales' nerves.