Wales' Jordan James scores the Welsh team to vital World Cup win over the Liechtenstein national team.

Wales claimed a narrow 1-0 success over underdogs Liechtenstein to maintain their aspirations of World Cup finals qualifying.

Wales' James scored his maiden international strike for Wales from close range after Liechtenstein’s group of full-time players, amateurs and part-timers had held out for more than 60 minutes. The scorer celebrated in delight with his obvious relief mirrored by the 3,000 Welsh followers packed into multiple stands of the stadium in Vaduz.

Soon afterwards, though, James was cautioned and a further booking for Ethan Ampadu ensured both midfielders are ruled out for Tuesday’s crucial match with their next opponents through disciplinary issues.

That Wales' ground fixture is a clash Wales must win to overtake North Macedonia and secure a more favourable position in the playoffs in next spring.

Bellamy had an different perspective from the sidelines, the head coach undertaking a sideline suspension after picking up a additional booking in the competition earlier.

The manager's deputy Cremers stood in in the dugout and four of Wales’s starters – Jordan James, Ampadu, Rodon, Williams – were one caution from from being absent for the concluding match. Both James and Ampadu received cautions in moments that might hamper Wales.

Liechtenstein, placed among the lowest-ranked in world football, had been goalless in their six qualifying defeats and let in twenty-three goals at an rate of around four per match.

The visitors predictably controlled the ball as their hosts adopted a low defensive block and packed their defence.

The home goal remained unthreatened until Nathan Broadhead pressing forced an error and James saw his shot from the edge of the box parried by Benjamin Büchel.

The same combination created another chance, Jordan locating Broadhead on this occasion with a precise ball over the top.

The attacker's excellent control took him past the keeper but the forward was unable to score from a difficult angle.

Wales believed they'd broken the deadlock after the first half when Jordan James headed a deep Thomas corner back into a crowded goal area.

The Liechtenstein keeper was harassed by Dylan Lawlor and Joe Rodon, and his poor clearance landed with Broadhead who scored decisively. But Wales' celebrations were cut short when the official was instructed to the video review system and decided that a player of the Wales defenders was in an offside position from James’s initial touch.

Wales stepped up a gear after the interval and Sorba Thomas provided a ball to the back post which the winger struck the frame of the goal.

Neco Williams then missed with a header from inside the six-yard box as it appeared like a frustrating evening for the Welsh side.

But, with the contest having ticked into its 61st minute, Williams delivered a intelligent through ball for Daniel James to get in behind the home defence.

James beat the goalkeeper with a superb ball into the danger area, and his teammate Jordan James had the straightforward opportunity of relieving Wales' tension.