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The Welsh side secured a narrow 1-0 win against international minnows Liechtenstein to sustain their chances of World Cup finals qualifying.

Jordan James claimed his maiden goal for Wales from close range after the home side's assorted collection of professionals, amateurs and part-timers had resisted for more than 60 minutes. The scorer celebrated in delight with his obvious relief shared by the three thousand Wales followers occupying multiple stands of the Rheinpark Stadion in Vaduz.

Shortly after, however, James was cautioned and a further late caution for Ethan Ampadu ensured both midfielders are unavailable for Tuesday’s crucial match with North Macedonia through suspension.

The Cardiff City Stadium match is a game the Welsh team must win to overtake North Macedonia and guarantee a improved draw in the final round in next spring.

Bellamy had an unfamiliar vantage point from the sidelines, the head coach completing a touchline ban after receiving a additional booking in the tournament last month.

The manager's assistant his assistant took his place in the technical area and multiple first-teamers – James, Ampadu, Rodon, Neco Williams – were a booking away from sitting out the concluding match. Two of them received cautions in situations that could really hurt Wales.

Their opponents, situated 206 out of 210 teams in world football, had been goalless in their previous six losses and allowed 23 times at an average of almost four per game.

The visitors unsurprisingly had most of the play as their hosts employed a compact shape and defended in numbers.

The home goal was rarely tested until Nathan Broadhead high press caused a mistake and James saw his attempt from the 18-yard line saved by Benjamin Büchel.

A similar move worked the next opening, James picking out his teammate now with a accurate ball behind the defence.

Broadhead’s superb touch beat Büchel but the Wrexham striker could not convert from a narrow position.

The Welsh team felt they taken the lead after the opening period when James headed a lofted Sorba Thomas set-piece back into a packed six-yard box.

Büchel was harassed by Lawlor and Joe Rodon, and his poor clearance reached Broadhead who drove home emphatically. But Welsh elation were cut short when the match official was sent to the VAR screen and determined that one or more of the Wales centre-halves was in an offside from James’s header.

Wales increased the pressure after the interval and Sorba Thomas sent in a cross to the opposite side which the winger struck the crossbar.

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

Yet, with the match having entered its second half, Neco Williams played a shrewd pass for his teammate to get in behind the opposition backline.

Daniel James beat the goalkeeper with a superb pass along the six-yard box, and his teammate Jordan had the simple task of ending Welsh anxiety.