A solitary second-half goal from midfielder Jordan James secured a narrow but vital victory for Wales in their World Cup qualifying campaign, as they overcame a stubborn Liechtenstein side 1-0 on the road.
The match, played at the Rheinpark Stadion in Vaduz, proved a tense and frustrating affair for long periods for the visitors. Facing a Liechtenstein team comprised largely of part-time players and sitting at the very bottom of the global rankings, Wales dominated possession but struggled to break down a packed and disciplined defensive block.
The decisive moment arrived just after the hour mark. A incisive pass from Neco Williams released Daniel James behind the home defence. His low, squared ball across the six-yard box presented Jordan James with a simple finish, the Birmingham City player netting his first international goal to the palpable relief of the travelling Welsh support.
However, the victory was marred by significant disciplinary setbacks. Both goalscorer James and fellow midfielder Ethan Ampadu received late yellow cards, ruling them out of the crucial final group match against North Macedonia on Tuesday. That fixture in Cardiff now becomes a must-win encounter for Wales to secure second place in the group and a potentially easier path in the upcoming playoffs.
Wales had thought they had taken the lead in the first half when Nathan Broadhead fired home from close range, but the effort was disallowed following a VAR review for offside. Daniel James also struck the post after the break as the visitors increased the pressure.
With manager Craig Bellamy serving a touchline ban, assistant Piet Cremers oversaw operations from the technical area. Reflecting on the match, Cremers acknowledged the challenge posed by such opponents. “It’s a type of game where the expectation is a big scoreline, but these are difficult fixtures. The opposition are very well organised, they compact the space, and limit your opportunities. We took care of the task today, and now our full focus turns to Tuesday.”
The result leaves Wales’ destiny in their own hands. A win against North Macedonia will secure second place, while a failure to do so would still see them advance to the playoffs via their Nations League performance, albeit with a potentially tougher draw.