🔗 Share this article

The Welsh side earned a tight 1-0 victory against less-fancied opponents Liechtenstein to keep alive their chances of World Cup qualifying.

The young midfielder notched his debut international strike for the national team from inside the box after Liechtenstein’s assorted collection of professionals, office workers and students had held out for over an hour. James ran off in joy with his visible excitement shared by the large contingent of Wales followers packed into most sections of the stadium in the capital.

Shortly after, though, Jordan James was booked and a further booking for Ethan Ampadu ensured the two players are unavailable for Tuesday’s crucial match with North Macedonia through disciplinary issues.

That home venue match is a clash Wales have to secure victory in to overtake North Macedonia and guarantee a better draw in the final round in March.

Bellamy had an different perspective from the sidelines, Bellamy serving a sideline suspension after being shown a further caution in the tournament last month.

The manager's deputy his assistant stood in in the coaching zone and several key players – Jordan James, Ampadu, Joe Rodon, Neco Williams – were at risk of suspension from sitting out the last group game. Two of them received cautions in moments that may damage Wales.

The home side, ranked 206 out of 210 teams in international football, had failed to score in their six qualifying defeats and conceded twenty-three goals at an average of nearly four per game.

Wales as expected controlled the ball as Liechtenstein adopted a low defensive block and packed their defence.

Liechtenstein's net saw little action until the forward's high press forced an error and Jordan James saw his shot from the 18-yard line saved by Benjamin Büchel.

The same combination worked the next opening, James locating his teammate on this occasion with a accurate pass over the top.

The attacker's superb touch evaded the keeper but the forward was unable to score from a narrow position.

The Welsh team thought they had broken the deadlock after the opening period when James directed a high Thomas set-piece back into a packed six-yard box.

The Liechtenstein keeper was flustered by Lawlor and Rodon, and his feeble attempt reached Broadhead who finished powerfully. But Wales' joy were halted when the referee was instructed to the video review system and ruled that a player of the Wales central defenders was in an offside position from Jordan's initial touch.

Wales increased the pressure after the interval and Sorba Thomas sent in a centering pass to the far post which the winger hit the crossbar.

Neco Williams then missed with a header from inside the goal area as it appeared like a difficult match for the Welsh side.

But, with the game having entered its final half-hour, Neco Williams executed a intelligent through ball for his teammate to run past the opposition backline.

James bypassed the goalkeeper with a delightful pass across the face of goal, and his namesake Jordan James had the easy job of relieving Wales' nerves.