Wales struggled to keep their World Cup hopes alive with a 1-0 win over Liechtenstein.
Jordan James scored his first goal for Wales from close range after a series of full-time players, administrative staff and Liechtenstein students held out for more than an hour.
James was delighted by his apparent calmness as the 3,000 Welsh fans who packed three sides of the Rhine Park stadium in Vaduz walked away.
However, James was booked moments later and Ethan Ampadu was booked for another late warning, leaving both midfielders suspended for Tuesday’s crucial game with North Macedonia.
The match at Cardiff City Stadium is a must-win game for Wales to get past North Macedonia and earn a more favorable tie in the play-offs in March.
Craig Bellamy had an unfamiliar sight from the stands after picking up his second yellow card of the tournament last month, sending the Wales manager off.
Bellamy’s assistant Pete Cremers replaced him in the technical department and Wales’ starting four – James, Ampadu, Joe Roden and Neko Williams – were far enough away to miss the final qualifier.
Two of them were not caught up in incidents that could really hurt Wales.
Leeds midfielder Ampadu captained his country for only the second time with Aaron Ramsey and Ben Davies absent.
Liechtenstein, ranked 206th out of 210 teams in world football, had not scored in their six defeats in qualifying, conceding 23 at an average of nearly four per game.
With Liechtenstein in a low defensive block and getting bodies behind the ball, Wales predictably dominated possession.
The hosts’ goal remained clear until Nathan Broadhead’s pressing caused a foul and James saw his effort from the edge of the box saved by Benjamin Buchel.
The same combination worked on the next opening and James this time found Broadhead with a precise overhead kick.
Broadhead’s excellent touch put him through the bushel, but the Rackham forward couldn’t convert from the tight angle.
Wales thought they had broken the deadlock after 26 minutes when James headed Sorba Thomas’ deep corner into the crowded six-yard box.
Buchel faltered under pressure from Dylan Lawlor and Rodon and his weak punch fell to Brodhead who slotted home decisively.
But Wales’ celebrations were cut short when Albanian referee Djojin Xhaja was sent to the sideline monitor and ruled that at least one of Wales’ central midfielders had been caught offside following James’ header.
Emmanuel Sond fired from distance as Lichtenstein broke the deadlock, but Buchel reacted well to deny Mark Harris and James.
Wales upped the ante after the break and Thomas sent a cross to the far post which Daniel James nodded against the woodwork.
Williams then headed wide from inside the six-yard box and it looked like one of those nights for Wales.
But, with the match underway in the 61st minute, Williams played a clever pass for Daniel James to break behind the home defence.
James sent Bushell off with a delightful through ball and his namesake Jordan had the simple task of ending Wales’ anxiety.
