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Wales earned a hard-fought 1-0 win against less-fancied opponents Liechtenstein to sustain their hopes of World Cup finals qualifying.

Jordan James claimed his debut goal for the national team from inside the box after the home side's assorted collection of professionals, amateurs and students had resisted for the majority of the match. The scorer celebrated in delight with his visible excitement shared by the three thousand Welsh followers filling three sides of the venue in the capital.

Shortly after, however, James was booked and another booking for Ethan Ampadu ensured both midfielders are suspended for Tuesday’s decisive game with their next opponents due to suspension.

The Cardiff City Stadium fixture is a clash the Welsh team must win to leapfrog their rivals and obtain a better draw in the final round in March.

The Wales manager had an unusual perspective from the sidelines, the Wales manager completing a sideline suspension after picking up a further caution in the qualifiers 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 missing the last group game. A pair were booked in moments that might hamper Wales.

Their opponents, situated among the lowest-ranked in global rankings, had failed to score in their winless run and allowed 23 goals at an average of nearly four per game.

The visitors as expected dominated possession as Liechtenstein lay in a low defensive block and got bodies behind the ball.

Their opponent's target remained unthreatened until the forward's high press forced an error and Jordan James saw his effort from the edge of the box pushed aside by the goalkeeper.

The same combination crafted an opportunity, James locating Broadhead now with a accurate delivery into space.

Broadhead’s fine first touch beat Büchel but the attacker was unable to score from a tight angle.

The Welsh team believed they'd scored the opener after the first half when Jordan James nodded a deep Sorba Thomas set-piece back into a packed penalty box.

Büchel was harassed by Dylan Lawlor and Rodon, and his weak punch landed with Nathan Broadhead who scored decisively. But Welsh celebrations were curtailed when the referee was directed to the VAR screen and decided that at least one of the Wales defenders was in an offside position from James’s initial touch.

The visitors increased the pressure after the half-time and Sorba Thomas delivered a ball to the back post which the winger struck the crossbar.

Neco Williams then missed with a header from within the goal area as it began to look like one of those nights for Wales.

However, with the contest having ticked into its second half, Williams delivered a intelligent pass for his teammate to break behind the opposition backline.

James bypassed the goalkeeper with a excellent cross into the danger area, and his namesake Jordan had the easy opportunity of easing Wales' nerves.