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Wales claimed a tight 1-0 success over underdogs Liechtenstein to maintain their chances of World Cup finals progress.

The young midfielder claimed his first international strike for Wales from inside the box after the home side's assorted collection of professionals, office workers and part-timers had defended for more than 60 minutes. The scorer celebrated in elation with his clear emotion echoed by the 3,000 Welsh supporters filling three sides of the Rheinpark Stadion in the capital.

Moments later, however, James was booked and a further yellow for his midfield partner resulted in the pair are ruled out for the upcoming decisive game with North Macedonia due to disciplinary issues.

The Cardiff City Stadium match is a game Wales have to secure victory in to leapfrog their rivals and obtain a more favourable seeding in the qualifying playoffs in next spring.

The Wales manager had an different perspective from the dugout, the head coach undertaking a touchline ban after receiving a additional booking in the tournament last month.

Bellamy’s assistant Cremers stood in in the dugout and several key players – James, Ethan Ampadu, Rodon, Williams – were at risk of suspension from being absent for the final qualifier. Both James and Ampadu were booked in incidents that could really hurt Wales.

The home side, situated among the lowest-ranked in global rankings, had failed to score in their winless run and conceded twenty-three goals at an rate of around four per match.

The visitors as expected had most of the play as Liechtenstein lay in a low defensive block and defended in numbers.

Their opponent's target remained unthreatened until Broadhead high press forced an error and Jordan James saw his shot from the 18-yard line saved by Büchel.

That pairing created another chance, James locating his teammate this time with a well-weighted ball behind the defence.

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

Wales believed they'd broken the deadlock after 26 minutes when Jordan James directed a lofted Sorba Thomas set-piece back into a packed six-yard box.

Büchel was flustered by Dylan Lawlor and Joe Rodon, and his feeble attempt reached Broadhead who finished powerfully. But Wales' joy were curtailed when the official was directed to the video review system and determined that one or more of the Wales centre-halves was in an offside position from Jordan's initial touch.

Wales stepped up a gear after the interval and Thomas sent in a cross to the back post which Daniel James hit the frame of the goal.

Neco Williams then missed with a header from inside the six-yard box as it started to seem like a difficult match for Wales.

However, with the contest having entered its final half-hour, Williams executed a clever through ball for Daniel James to get in behind the home defence.

Daniel James cut out the goalkeeper with a delightful cross across the face of goal, and his teammate Jordan James had the straightforward task of relieving Wales' anxiety.