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The Welsh side earned a tight 1-0 success against international minnows Liechtenstein to keep alive their chances of World Cup qualification.

Jordan James scored his first goal for the national team from inside the box after the home side's mix of full-time players, office workers and students had defended for more than 60 minutes. James celebrated in delight with his visible excitement mirrored by the large contingent of Welsh followers filling three sides of the stadium in Vaduz.

Shortly after, though, Jordan James was cautioned and another yellow for his midfield partner ensured both midfielders are unavailable for Tuesday’s crunch tie with North Macedonia through accumulated bookings.

That Wales' ground fixture is a clash the Welsh team have to secure victory in to overtake North Macedonia and guarantee a more favourable seeding in the qualifying playoffs in next spring.

Bellamy had an different vantage point from the dugout, the head coach undertaking a technical area prohibition after being shown a second yellow card in the competition last month.

Bellamy’s deputy Piet Cremers took his place in the dugout and four of Wales’s starters – James, Ethan Ampadu, Joe Rodon, Neco Williams – were a booking away from sitting out the final qualifier. A pair came unstuck in situations that may damage their team.

Their opponents, placed 206 out of 210 teams in global rankings, had not scored in their six qualifying defeats and let in twenty-three goals at an rate of almost four per game.

Wales predictably had most of the play as their hosts employed a low defensive block and defended in numbers.

Their opponent's target saw little action until Broadhead chasing down forced an error and James saw his attempt from the 18-yard line saved by Büchel.

A similar move created another chance, James locating Broadhead this time with a precise ball into space.

Broadhead’s excellent control beat the keeper but the attacker was unable to score from a difficult angle.

Wales felt they scored the opener after 26 minutes when James directed a high Thomas corner back into a packed penalty box.

Büchel was under pressure by Dylan Lawlor and Joe Rodon, and his poor clearance landed with Broadhead who scored decisively. But Wales' elation were cut short when the official was instructed to the VAR screen and determined that one or more of the Wales central defenders was in an offside from Jordan's initial touch.

Wales increased the pressure after the break and Sorba Thomas provided a centering pass to the far post which Daniel James struck the frame of the goal.

Neco Williams then missed with a header from within the goal area as it appeared like one of those nights for Wales.

But, with the contest having reached its final half-hour, Williams played a shrewd through ball for his teammate to break behind the opposition backline.

Daniel James cut out Büchel with a superb ball across the face of goal, and his teammate Jordan James had the straightforward opportunity of ending Welsh tension.