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Wales claimed a tight 1-0 win against less-fancied opponents Liechtenstein to keep alive their hopes of World Cup qualification.

The young midfielder notched his debut international strike for the national team from inside the box after Liechtenstein’s group of full-time players, office workers and students had resisted for more than 60 minutes. The scorer wheeled away in delight with his visible excitement echoed by the 3,000 Welsh supporters occupying most sections of the stadium in Vaduz.

Shortly after, yet, Jordan James was cautioned and a further booking for Ethan Ampadu ensured the two players are suspended for Tuesday’s crucial match with their next opponents due to suspension.

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

The Wales manager had an unfamiliar perspective from the stands, the head coach serving a technical area prohibition after receiving a further caution in the tournament last month.

Bellamy’s assistant his assistant assumed duties in the dugout and multiple first-teamers – Jordan James, Ethan Ampadu, Joe Rodon, Williams – were at risk of suspension from missing the concluding match. A pair came unstuck in moments that could really hurt their team.

The home side, ranked 206 out of 210 teams in world football, had failed to score in their previous six losses and conceded 23 goals at an rate of around four per fixture.

Wales as expected controlled the ball as their hosts employed a deep defensive line and got bodies behind the ball.

Liechtenstein's net saw little action until Broadhead high press caused a mistake and James saw his attempt from the penalty area parried by Büchel.

A similar move crafted an opportunity, James picking out his teammate on this occasion with a well-weighted ball behind the defence.

Broadhead’s superb touch evaded the keeper but the Wrexham striker failed to finish from a narrow position.

The Welsh team felt they scored the opener after the opening period when Jordan James nodded a lofted Thomas set-piece back into a congested goal area.

The Liechtenstein keeper was harassed by Lawlor and Joe Rodon, and his poor clearance landed with Nathan Broadhead who scored decisively. But Welsh celebrations were halted when the official was directed to the VAR screen and determined that a player of the Wales centre-halves was in an offside from James’s initial touch.

The visitors raised the tempo after the break and Sorba Thomas provided a centering pass to the opposite side which the winger rattled against the crossbar.

Williams then directed his header off target from inside the six-yard box as it appeared like a difficult match for the Welsh side.

Yet, with the contest having ticked into its second half, Williams delivered a shrewd through ball for his teammate to get in behind the Liechtenstein defenders.

James bypassed the goalkeeper with a superb ball along the six-yard box, and his teammate Jordan James had the easy task of ending Welsh anxiety.