The young midfielder James scores the Welsh team to vital World Cup qualifying win versus the Liechtenstein national team.

Wales claimed a tight 1-0 success over underdogs Liechtenstein to keep alive their chances of World Cup qualifying.

Wales' James scored his debut international strike for Wales from near the goal after the home side's group of full-time players, office workers and students had held out for over an hour. The scorer celebrated in delight with his clear emotion mirrored by the 3,000 Welsh followers occupying three sides of the Rheinpark Stadion in Vaduz.

Moments later, however, James was booked and another late caution for his midfield partner ensured the pair are unavailable for Tuesday’s crunch tie with their next opponents due to suspension.

The Wales' ground match is a encounter Wales have to secure victory in to leapfrog North Macedonia and guarantee a better position in the qualifying playoffs in next spring.

Craig Bellamy had an unfamiliar vantage point from the dugout, the head coach serving a technical area prohibition after picking up a second yellow card in the tournament earlier.

Bellamy’s assistant his assistant assumed duties in the technical area and four of Wales’s starters – Jordan James, Ethan Ampadu, Rodon, Neco Williams – were one caution from from being absent for the last group game. Two of them came unstuck in moments that might hamper their team.

Their opponents, ranked near the bottom in global rankings, had not scored in their winless run and conceded twenty-three times at an rate of nearly four per match.

Wales unsurprisingly dominated possession as their hosts adopted a low defensive block and defended in numbers.

The home goal was rarely tested until the forward's high press forced an error and Jordan James saw his shot from the 18-yard line saved by the goalkeeper.

That pairing created another chance, James picking out Broadhead now with a well-weighted delivery over the top.

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

Wales believed they'd taken the lead after 26 minutes when James nodded a high Sorba Thomas corner back into a crowded goal area.

Büchel was flustered by Dylan Lawlor and Joe Rodon, and his feeble attempt fell to Broadhead who drove home emphatically. But Wales' elation were curtailed when the referee was directed to the VAR screen and ruled that one or more of the Wales central defenders was in an offside from Jordan's initial touch.

The visitors increased the pressure after the half-time and Sorba Thomas provided a ball to the opposite side which James hit the woodwork.

Neco Williams then missed with a header from inside the goal area as it began to look like a frustrating evening for the Welsh side.

But, with the game having ticked into its final half-hour, Neco Williams played a shrewd pass for Daniel James to run past the Liechtenstein defenders.

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

Michelle Smith
Michelle Smith

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