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The Welsh side earned a tight 1-0 success against underdogs Liechtenstein to maintain their aspirations of World Cup finals qualifying.

The young midfielder scored his first international strike for Wales from close range after Liechtenstein’s assorted collection of full-time players, amateurs and part-timers had defended for the majority of the match. The scorer wheeled away in joy with his obvious relief echoed by the 3,000 Welsh fans packed into multiple stands of the stadium in the capital.

Shortly after, though, James was booked and another yellow for Ethan Ampadu ensured the two players are suspended for the upcoming crucial match with their next opponents through accumulated bookings.

That Cardiff City Stadium match is a encounter the Welsh team need to win to move above North Macedonia and secure a more favourable position in the qualifying playoffs in March.

Craig Bellamy had an different perspective from the stands, the head coach serving a technical area prohibition after being shown a second yellow card in the competition previously.

Bellamy’s assistant Piet Cremers stood in in the technical area and multiple first-teamers – James, Ampadu, Joe Rodon, Williams – were a booking away from missing the final qualifier. Both James and Ampadu came unstuck in moments that may damage their team.

Their opponents, placed 206 out of 210 teams in world football, had not scored in their previous six losses and let in twenty-three times at an average of almost four per fixture.

Wales as expected dominated possession as their hosts adopted a compact shape and got bodies behind the ball.

Their opponent's target was rarely tested until Nathan Broadhead high press caused a mistake and Jordan James saw his shot from the 18-yard line saved by Benjamin Büchel.

The same combination created another chance, James finding his teammate on this occasion with a accurate pass behind the defence.

Broadhead’s excellent control evaded Büchel but the attacker could not convert from a narrow position.

Wales believed they'd broken the deadlock after the opening period when James nodded a deep Sorba Thomas corner back into a packed six-yard box.

Büchel was flustered by Lawlor and Joe Rodon, and his feeble attempt fell to Nathan Broadhead who drove home emphatically. But Welsh elation were curtailed when the match official was instructed to the pitchside monitor and determined that one or more of the Wales central defenders was in an offside position from Jordan's initial touch.

The visitors increased the pressure after the interval and Sorba Thomas delivered a ball to the back post which Daniel James hit the crossbar.

Williams then missed with a header from inside the six-yard box as it started to seem like one of those nights for Wales.

But, with the contest having ticked into its second half, Neco Williams delivered a shrewd pass for his teammate to break behind the home defence.

Daniel James bypassed Büchel with a delightful cross into the danger area, and his teammate Jordan James had the easy task of relieving Wales' anxiety.