Ethan Ampadu will miss Wales' World Cup qualifier against North Macedonia due to suspension.

Leeds United midfielder Ethan Ampadu has admitted he is ‘very gutted’ to have picked up a yellow card in Wales’ 1-0 win away at Liechtenstein on Saturday, ruling him out of the key FIFA World Cup qualifier against North Macedonia next week.

The Dragons had to work hard to overcome their stubborn hosts in Vaduz, eventually finding the breakthrough through Leicester City’s Jordan James in the 63rd minute, with the goal assisted by Leeds man Dan James.

Ampadu was one of Wales’ best players on the night, completing 87% of his 86 passes, with 10 going into the final third, while he created one chance, had 103 touches of the ball and was successful with both his dribbles.

The 25-year-old also kept Liechtenstein quiet with two tackles, two clearances, one interception and six possession recoveries. All in all, this combined for a match rating of 8.0 on FotMob.

Ethan Ampadu ‘gutted’ with costly Wales yellow card

Unfortunately for Ampadu, he was shown an extremely harsh yellow card in the 87th minute for a seemingly perfect tackle, with this his second booking of the campaign, meaning he’ll be suspended for Tuesday’s clash against North Macedonia in Cardiff on Tuesday - where the two sides go in level in joint-second on 13 points.

Ampadu spoke honestly about the incident after the match, clearly unhappy at being punished for what appeared to be a clean challenge for the ball.

"I am very gutted. If it was a challenge that was a bit reckless or silly. It's annoying because I don't think I touched the guy and I won the ball,” Ampadu told BBC Sport.

Ex-Wales defender Ashley Williams was equally baffled by the decision of referee Juxhin Xhaja, stating that the challenge wasn’t even a foul, let alone a booking.

“I didn't think Ethan Ampadu's was a yellow,” he said. “He has every right to go for the ball. His foot's high, so is the other player's foot, and [Ampadu] gets to the ball first. I don't even think it's a foul.”

How did Dan James and Joe Rodon play against Liechtenstein?

Ampadu was joined at the Rheinpark Stadion by Leeds United teammates Dan James and Joe Rodon.

As mentioned, James provided the assist for the only goal of the match, which was one of three chances created throughout the match. James almost grabbed a goal of his own, rattling the woodwork from close range just before the hour mark, when he perhaps should have scored.

Nevertheless, the winger was lively throughout, attempting two dribbles - completing one- getting four touches in the opposition box and delivering eight crosses. Like Ampadu, James scored 8.0 with FotMob.

Liechtenstein rarely threatened, meaning Rodon had a quiet evening at centre-back. The 28-year-old was excellent on the ball, however, completing a match-high 146 passes and misplacing just one pass throughout the entire match. 12 of those passes went into the final third, while Rodon also completed all six of his attempted long balls.

Rodon coped fine when he did have to defend, making one tackle, two clearances and six possession recoveries, while winning three of his six duels.

Like his Leeds teammates, the centre-back picked up a match rating of 8.0.

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