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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 finals progress.

The young midfielder scored his first international strike for the national team from near the goal after Liechtenstein’s assorted collection of full-time players, amateurs and part-timers had resisted for over an hour. James ran off in elation with his visible excitement mirrored by the 3,000 Wales fans occupying three sides of the venue in the capital.

Shortly after, though, James was booked and a further booking for his midfield partner means both midfielders are unavailable for Tuesday’s decisive game with North Macedonia through disciplinary issues.

That home venue contest is a clash the Welsh team must win to move above their rivals and secure a better position in the final round in next spring.

Craig Bellamy had an different perspective from the sidelines, the head coach undertaking a sideline suspension after picking up a second yellow card in the competition previously.

Bellamy’s deputy Piet Cremers assumed duties in the coaching zone and four of Wales’s starters – James, Ethan Ampadu, Joe Rodon, Neco Williams – were one caution from from being absent for the last group game. Two of them were booked in situations that may damage their team.

The home side, placed near the bottom in global rankings, had not scored in their six qualifying defeats and let in twenty-three goals at an average of nearly four per match.

The visitors as expected controlled the ball as their hosts lay in a low defensive block and defended in numbers.

The home goal was rarely tested until Nathan Broadhead high press caused a mistake and Jordan James saw his attempt from the edge of the box parried by the goalkeeper.

A similar move created another chance, Jordan picking out his teammate on this occasion with a accurate ball over the top.

Broadhead’s superb touch beat the keeper but the forward could not convert from a tight angle.

Wales felt they scored the opener after the opening period when Jordan James nodded a high Thomas set-piece back into a packed goal area.

Büchel was flustered by Lawlor and Rodon, and his feeble attempt reached Broadhead who finished powerfully. But Welsh joy were cut short when the match official was sent to the VAR screen and determined that a player of the Welsh central defenders was in an offside position from James’s initial touch.

Wales stepped up a gear after the break and Thomas delivered a centering pass to the back post which James struck the frame of the goal.

Neco Williams then headed wide from within the goal area as it appeared like a difficult match for Wales.

However, with the contest having ticked into its 61st minute, Neco Williams executed a shrewd through ball for his teammate to run past the opposition backline.

Daniel James beat the goalkeeper with a superb cross across the face of goal, and his namesake Jordan James had the easy task of ending Wales' nerves.