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Wales secured a hard-fought 1-0 success against less-fancied opponents Liechtenstein to keep alive their chances of World Cup qualifying.

Wales' James scored his debut goal for the national team from close range after Liechtenstein’s assorted collection of full-time players, amateurs and part-timers had defended for more than 60 minutes. The scorer wheeled away in elation with his clear emotion mirrored by the three thousand Wales fans occupying multiple stands of the venue in the capital.

Moments later, however, Jordan James was booked and a further late caution for his midfield partner resulted in the pair are suspended for the upcoming crucial match with their next opponents due to disciplinary issues.

That Wales' ground contest is a game Wales must win to move above North Macedonia and secure a more favourable position in the qualifying playoffs in March.

Craig Bellamy had an unfamiliar view from the sidelines, Bellamy undertaking a sideline suspension after being shown a further caution in the qualifiers previously.

Bellamy’s number two Piet Cremers assumed duties in the dugout and multiple first-teamers – Jordan James, Ethan Ampadu, Joe Rodon, Neco Williams – were at risk of suspension from sitting out the last group game. A pair came unstuck in situations that could really hurt their team.

Liechtenstein, situated among the lowest-ranked in international football, had been goalless in their winless run and conceded 23 goals at an average of almost four per match.

The visitors predictably had most of the play as Liechtenstein adopted a compact shape and packed their defence.

The home goal saw little action until Broadhead chasing down caused a mistake and Jordan James saw his attempt from the edge of the box pushed aside by the goalkeeper.

A similar move worked the next opening, James locating his teammate on this occasion with a accurate delivery behind the defence.

The attacker's fine touch beat Büchel but the forward failed to finish from a narrow position.

The Welsh team thought they had scored the opener after the opening period when James nodded a deep Thomas corner back into a congested penalty box.

Büchel was harassed by Lawlor and Rodon, and his feeble attempt landed with Nathan Broadhead who drove home emphatically. But Welsh celebrations were cut short when the match official was instructed to the video review system and determined that at least one of the Welsh central defenders was in an offside position from Jordan's header.

Wales increased the pressure after the half-time and Sorba Thomas sent in a ball to the far post which James struck the woodwork.

Williams then headed wide from within the penalty box as it started to seem like a frustrating evening for Wales.

However, with the match having ticked into its second half, Williams delivered a shrewd through ball for Daniel James to break behind the Liechtenstein defenders.

James bypassed Büchel with a superb ball along the six-yard box, and his namesake Jordan James had the easy opportunity of relieving Wales' nerves.