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The Welsh side claimed a narrow 1-0 success against less-fancied opponents Liechtenstein to sustain their chances of World Cup progress.

The young midfielder claimed his first goal for Wales from close range after Liechtenstein’s assorted collection of professionals, amateurs and part-timers had defended for more than 60 minutes. James wheeled away in delight with his visible excitement mirrored by the 3,000 Welsh fans filling multiple stands of the venue in the capital.

Soon afterwards, though, Jordan James was booked and a further yellow for Ethan Ampadu means both midfielders are suspended for Tuesday’s crucial match with their next opponents through disciplinary issues.

The Wales' ground match is a game Wales must win to leapfrog North Macedonia and obtain a better position in the qualifying playoffs in next spring.

Craig Bellamy had an unfamiliar perspective from the stands, the head coach completing a touchline ban after receiving a additional booking in the qualifiers earlier.

Bellamy’s deputy his assistant stood in in the dugout and multiple first-teamers – Jordan James, Ampadu, Rodon, Neco Williams – were a booking away from missing the concluding match. Two of them were booked in moments that could really hurt Wales.

Liechtenstein, situated near the bottom in world football, had failed to score in their six qualifying defeats and conceded 23 times at an rate of around four per game.

Wales as expected had most of the play as their hosts employed a low defensive block and packed their defence.

Liechtenstein's net remained unthreatened until Broadhead high press won possession and Jordan James saw his shot from the edge of the box pushed aside by Benjamin Büchel.

The same combination crafted an opportunity, Jordan finding his teammate this time with a precise pass into space.

The attacker's excellent touch took him past Büchel but the Wrexham striker failed to finish from a tight angle.

Wales thought they had scored the opener after 26 minutes when Jordan James headed a high Thomas set-piece back into a crowded six-yard box.

Büchel was harassed by Lawlor and Rodon, and his poor clearance reached Nathan Broadhead who finished powerfully. But Wales' elation were halted when the match official was instructed to the pitchside monitor and determined that one or more of the Welsh central defenders was in an offside from James’s initial touch.

Wales stepped up a gear after the interval and Thomas sent in a centering pass to the opposite side which Daniel James rattled against the frame of the goal.

Williams then missed with a header from inside the goal area as it appeared like one of those nights for the Welsh side.

However, with the game having entered its final half-hour, Williams delivered a intelligent assist for Daniel James to break behind the home defence.

James cut out the goalkeeper with a delightful ball into the danger area, and his namesake Jordan had the simple task of ending Wales' anxiety.