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The Welsh side claimed a narrow 1-0 victory against less-fancied opponents Liechtenstein to maintain their aspirations of World Cup finals qualifying.

The young midfielder notched his maiden goal for the national team from near the goal after Liechtenstein’s group of professionals, office workers and part-timers had resisted for the majority of the match. The scorer wheeled away in delight with his visible excitement echoed by the 3,000 Wales supporters packed into most sections of the Rheinpark Stadion in Vaduz.

Shortly after, though, James was booked and another booking for Ethan Ampadu resulted in the two players are suspended for Tuesday’s crunch tie with their next opponents through suspension.

The Cardiff City Stadium match is a clash the Welsh team need to win to move above their rivals and secure a more favourable seeding in the playoffs in March.

Bellamy had an unusual view from the stands, the head coach undertaking a sideline suspension after being shown a additional booking in the tournament previously.

Bellamy’s assistant Cremers assumed duties in the technical area and four of Wales’s starters – James, Ampadu, Rodon, Williams – were at risk of suspension from being absent for the last group game. Two of them came unstuck in moments that may damage their team.

Liechtenstein, situated among the lowest-ranked in global rankings, had failed to score in their six qualifying defeats and let in twenty-three goals at an rate of almost four per fixture.

The visitors as expected dominated possession as Liechtenstein employed a compact shape and packed their defence.

The home goal saw little action until the forward's high press forced an error and James saw his effort from the 18-yard line pushed aside by Büchel.

A similar move worked the next opening, James finding Broadhead now with a well-weighted ball over the top.

The attacker's superb touch took him past Büchel but the forward was unable to score from a tight angle.

Wales thought they had scored the opener after 26 minutes when James directed a lofted Thomas corner back into a congested six-yard box.

The Liechtenstein keeper was flustered by Lawlor and Rodon, and his poor clearance fell to Broadhead who finished powerfully. But Wales' celebrations were cut short when the referee was sent to the VAR screen and decided that a player of the Wales defenders was in an illegal position from Jordan's initial touch.

The visitors increased the pressure after the break and Sorba Thomas sent in a cross to the opposite side which Daniel James rattled against the frame of the goal.

Williams then headed wide from within the six-yard box as it started to seem like one of those nights for the Welsh side.

However, with the contest having ticked into its final half-hour, Williams delivered a shrewd assist for his teammate to get in behind the Liechtenstein defenders.

Daniel James cut out Büchel with a excellent pass along the six-yard box, and his teammate Jordan had the easy job of easing Welsh tension.