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Wales claimed a tight 1-0 success over underdogs Liechtenstein to keep alive their chances of World Cup finals qualifying.

Jordan James notched his maiden goal for Wales from inside the box after Liechtenstein’s assorted collection of professionals, office workers and part-timers had resisted for more than 60 minutes. The scorer wheeled away in elation with his obvious relief echoed by the three thousand Welsh fans packed into most sections of the venue in the capital.

Soon afterwards, however, James was cautioned and a further yellow for his midfield partner ensured the pair are ruled out for Tuesday’s decisive game with North Macedonia due to accumulated bookings.

That Wales' ground contest is a game Wales have to secure victory in to overtake North Macedonia and guarantee a more favourable draw in the qualifying playoffs in next spring.

The Wales manager had an unfamiliar vantage point from the dugout, the head coach completing a sideline suspension after being shown a second yellow card in the competition previously.

Bellamy’s assistant Cremers stood in in the dugout and several key players – James, Ampadu, Joe Rodon, Neco Williams – were a booking away from being absent for the final qualifier. Both James and Ampadu received cautions in situations that may damage their team.

The home side, situated among the lowest-ranked in global rankings, had been goalless in their winless run and let in 23 goals at an rate of around four per game.

Wales unsurprisingly controlled the ball as Liechtenstein lay in a compact shape and got bodies behind the ball.

Their opponent's target saw little action until Nathan Broadhead high press forced an error and Jordan James saw his attempt from the penalty area pushed aside by the goalkeeper.

The same combination worked the next opening, Jordan locating his teammate now with a well-weighted delivery behind the defence.

Broadhead’s superb first touch evaded the keeper but the Wrexham striker was unable to score from a difficult angle.

Wales believed they'd broken the deadlock after 26 minutes when Jordan James nodded a deep Thomas set-piece back into a packed penalty box.

Büchel was under pressure by Lawlor and Rodon, and his weak punch landed with Broadhead who drove home emphatically. But Wales' elation were cut short when the referee was sent to the video review system and decided that at least one of the Wales centre-halves was in an illegal position from Jordan's initial touch.

The visitors stepped up a gear after the half-time and Thomas delivered a centering pass to the opposite side which Daniel James struck the woodwork.

Williams then headed wide from inside the six-yard box as it started to seem like a frustrating evening for the Welsh side.

However, with the match having ticked into its final half-hour, Neco Williams played a shrewd assist for Daniel James to get in behind the opposition backline.

Daniel James beat Büchel with a delightful cross across the face of goal, and his namesake Jordan James had the straightforward task of easing Welsh tension.