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The Welsh side claimed a narrow 1-0 victory over less-fancied opponents Liechtenstein to maintain their chances of World Cup progress.

The young midfielder scored his first goal for the national team from inside the box after Liechtenstein’s group of professionals, office workers and students had held out for more than 60 minutes. The scorer ran off in elation with his obvious relief echoed by the large contingent of Welsh followers filling three sides of the Rheinpark Stadion in the capital.

Shortly after, however, James was shown a yellow card and another late caution for his midfield partner means the pair are suspended for Tuesday’s crucial match with North Macedonia through disciplinary issues.

That Wales' ground fixture is a game Wales have to secure victory in to leapfrog their rivals and guarantee a better draw in the playoffs in March.

Craig Bellamy had an different view from the sidelines, Bellamy completing a touchline ban after picking up a further caution in the competition previously.

Bellamy’s number two Cremers took his place in the coaching zone and several key players – James, Ampadu, Joe Rodon, Neco Williams – were a booking away from sitting out the last group game. Both James and Ampadu came unstuck in moments that may damage their team.

Liechtenstein, situated 206 out of 210 teams in global rankings, had failed to score in their previous six losses and conceded 23 times at an average of nearly four per match.

The visitors unsurprisingly dominated possession as Liechtenstein employed a deep defensive line and got bodies behind the ball.

The home goal saw little action until the forward's pressing caused a mistake and James saw his shot from the penalty area saved by Benjamin Büchel.

That pairing worked the next opening, James finding Broadhead now with a accurate delivery into space.

Broadhead’s superb control evaded the keeper but the forward failed to finish from a tight angle.

Wales believed they'd scored the opener after 26 minutes when James directed a lofted Sorba Thomas set-piece back into a crowded six-yard box.

The Liechtenstein keeper was harassed by Dylan Lawlor and Rodon, and his weak punch fell to Broadhead who finished powerfully. But Wales' elation were curtailed when the match official was directed to the VAR screen and ruled that at least one of the Welsh defenders was in an illegal position from Jordan's initial touch.

The visitors increased the pressure after the half-time and Sorba Thomas delivered a ball to the back post which James struck the woodwork.

Neco Williams then missed with a header from inside the penalty box as it appeared like a difficult match for Wales.

However, with the match having ticked into its 61st minute, Williams played a clever through ball for his teammate to break behind the opposition backline.

James bypassed the goalkeeper with a delightful ball into the danger area, and his teammate Jordan had the simple opportunity of relieving Wales' tension.