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Wales claimed a narrow 1-0 victory against less-fancied opponents Liechtenstein to maintain their hopes of World Cup finals qualifying.

The young midfielder notched his debut international strike for the national team from near the goal after Liechtenstein’s mix of professionals, amateurs and part-timers had resisted for more than 60 minutes. The scorer ran off in delight with his obvious relief echoed by the large contingent of Wales supporters filling most sections of the venue in Vaduz.

Moments later, yet, Jordan James was cautioned and another booking for Ethan Ampadu resulted in the pair are ruled out for Tuesday’s crucial match with North Macedonia through suspension.

The home venue match is a game the Welsh team have to secure victory in to move above North Macedonia and obtain a improved seeding in the qualifying playoffs in March.

Bellamy had an unfamiliar view from the sidelines, the Wales manager completing a sideline suspension after receiving a additional booking in the tournament earlier.

Bellamy’s deputy Piet Cremers took his place in the coaching zone and several key players – James, Ampadu, Joe Rodon, Neco Williams – were at risk of suspension from being absent for the last group game. A pair received cautions in moments that may damage Wales.

Liechtenstein, ranked near the bottom in global rankings, had not scored in their six qualifying defeats and conceded 23 goals at an average of almost four per match.

Wales predictably controlled the ball as their hosts adopted a compact shape and got bodies behind the ball.

Their opponent's target remained unthreatened until Nathan Broadhead pressing won possession and James saw his shot from the 18-yard line saved by Benjamin Büchel.

A similar move crafted an opportunity, James finding his teammate on this occasion with a precise pass over the top.

The attacker's excellent touch evaded the keeper but the forward failed to finish from a tight angle.

The Welsh team believed they'd broken the deadlock after the first half when James directed a lofted Sorba Thomas corner back into a crowded six-yard box.

Büchel was harassed by Lawlor and Rodon, and his poor clearance fell to Nathan Broadhead who scored decisively. But Welsh joy were curtailed when the referee was directed to the video review system and ruled that one or more of the Wales defenders was in an offside position from James’s header.

The visitors stepped up a gear after the interval and Sorba Thomas provided a centering pass to the opposite side which Daniel James struck the crossbar.

Williams then missed with a header from within the penalty box as it started to seem like one of those nights for the Welsh side.

Yet, with the game having entered its final half-hour, Williams executed a shrewd pass for his teammate to break behind the opposition backline.

Daniel James beat Büchel with a superb cross into the danger area, and his namesake Jordan had the easy job of relieving Welsh tension.