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The Welsh side claimed a tight 1-0 win over international minnows Liechtenstein to maintain their chances of World Cup finals qualifying.

Jordan James scored his first goal for Wales from close range after the home side's assorted collection of professionals, amateurs and students had held out for more than 60 minutes. James wheeled away in elation with his obvious relief shared by the 3,000 Wales followers occupying three sides of the Rheinpark Stadion in Vaduz.

Soon afterwards, though, James was booked and a further late caution for his midfield partner ensured both midfielders are suspended for the upcoming decisive game with North Macedonia due to disciplinary issues.

That Cardiff City Stadium fixture is a clash the Welsh team must win to overtake North Macedonia and secure a improved seeding in the final round in March.

Craig Bellamy had an different vantage point from the stands, Bellamy undertaking a touchline ban after being shown a additional booking in the competition previously.

Bellamy’s deputy Cremers took his place in the dugout and four of Wales’s starters – James, Ampadu, Joe Rodon, Williams – were at risk of suspension from missing the last group game. Two of them were booked in moments that may damage Wales.

The home side, situated among the lowest-ranked in global rankings, had not scored in their six qualifying defeats and let in 23 goals at an rate of nearly four per fixture.

Wales unsurprisingly controlled the ball as their hosts adopted a deep defensive line and got bodies behind the ball.

Liechtenstein's net saw little action until Nathan Broadhead chasing down won possession and Jordan James saw his attempt from the edge of the box saved by Büchel.

A similar move created another chance, Jordan picking out his teammate this time with a well-weighted delivery behind the defence.

The attacker's fine first touch beat Büchel but the attacker could not convert from a tight angle.

The Welsh team believed they'd scored the opener after 26 minutes when Jordan James headed a high Thomas set-piece back into a packed goal area.

Büchel was flustered by Lawlor and Rodon, and his feeble attempt fell to Nathan Broadhead who drove home emphatically. But Welsh celebrations were curtailed when the match official was directed to the VAR screen and decided that one or more of the Welsh defenders was in an illegal position from Jordan's header.

Wales raised the tempo after the interval and Sorba Thomas sent in a ball to the far post which Daniel James rattled against the frame of the goal.

Williams then missed with a header from within the goal area as it started to seem like a difficult match for Wales.

Yet, with the game having entered its 61st minute, Neco Williams played a intelligent pass for Daniel James to get in behind the Liechtenstein defenders.

Daniel James beat the goalkeeper with a delightful cross into the danger area, and his teammate Jordan James had the easy job of easing Wales' tension.