Wales Grind Out Crucial Victory in Vaduz
Wales kept their World Cup qualification dreams alive with a hard-earned 1-0 victory over Liechtenstein in Vaduz. The decisive moment came from Jordan James, who scored his first international goal to break the deadlock against a resilient home side.
A Night of Frustration and Relief
Facing a Liechtenstein team ranked 206th in the world, Wales dominated possession but struggled to convert their chances for over an hour. The home team, comprising a mix of full-time players, office workers, and students, defended resolutely in a low block, frustrating the Welsh attack.
Wales thought they had taken the lead in the 26th minute when Nathan Broadhead fired home after a goalmouth scramble. However, the celebration was cut short after a VAR review, with Albanian referee Juxhin Xhaja ruling at least one Wales player was in an offside position.
The woodwork then denied Daniel James early in the second half, and Neco Williams headed wide from close range, increasing Welsh anxiety at the Rheinpark Stadion.
The Decisive Breakthrough
The pressure finally told after 61 minutes. Neco Williams played a clever pass for Daniel James to break behind the Liechtenstein defence. James then delivered a perfect low cross across the face of the goal, leaving his namesake, Jordan James, with a simple tap-in to send the 3,000 travelling Wales fans into delirium.
The relief was palpable, but the joy was tempered by disciplinary concerns. Moments after his goal, Jordan James received a yellow card, and Ethan Ampadu was also booked later in the match. Both midfielders will now miss the crucial final qualifier against North Macedonia through suspension.
Looking Ahead to a Must-Win Finale
Manager Craig Bellamy watched from the stands, serving a touchline ban, while his assistant Piet Cremers took charge in the technical area.
The focus now shifts to a decisive encounter at the Cardiff City Stadium. Wales must beat North Macedonia on Tuesday to overtake them in the group and secure a more favourable draw for the playoff rounds in March. The absence of two key midfielders adds a significant challenge to this must-win fixture.
