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Wales claimed a tight 1-0 victory against underdogs Liechtenstein to maintain their hopes of World Cup finals qualification.

Jordan James notched his first international strike for Wales from close range after the home side's assorted collection of full-time players, office workers and students had defended for the majority of the match. James wheeled away in joy with his obvious relief echoed by the 3,000 Wales supporters packed into most sections of the Rheinpark Stadion in Vaduz.

Moments later, however, Jordan James was cautioned and another booking for Ethan Ampadu ensured both midfielders are ruled out for the upcoming crucial match with North Macedonia due to disciplinary issues.

The Cardiff City Stadium contest is a clash the Welsh team have to secure victory in to move above their rivals and guarantee a improved position in the qualifying playoffs in next spring.

The Wales manager had an different perspective from the dugout, Bellamy completing a sideline suspension after picking up a second yellow card in the tournament last month.

Bellamy’s assistant Piet Cremers stood in in the dugout and several key players – Jordan James, Ampadu, Rodon, Neco Williams – were a booking away from being absent for the last group game. Both James and Ampadu were booked in incidents that may damage their team.

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

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

Their opponent's target remained unthreatened until the forward's pressing forced an error and Jordan James saw his attempt from the edge of the box pushed aside by Büchel.

A similar move crafted an opportunity, Jordan picking out Broadhead this time with a accurate delivery behind the defence.

The attacker's superb control took him past Büchel but the forward was unable to score from a narrow position.

Wales thought they had broken the deadlock after the opening period when Jordan James nodded a high Thomas set-piece back into a packed six-yard box.

Büchel was flustered by Dylan Lawlor and Joe Rodon, and his weak punch reached Broadhead who scored decisively. But Wales' joy were cut short when the official was instructed to the video review system and decided that a player of the Wales centre-halves was in an offside position from James’s initial touch.

Wales increased the pressure after the half-time and Sorba Thomas sent in a ball to the opposite side which the winger rattled against the crossbar.

Neco Williams then headed wide from inside the goal area as it began to look like a difficult match for Wales.

Yet, with the match having ticked into its second half, Neco Williams delivered a intelligent assist for his teammate to get in behind the Liechtenstein defenders.

James bypassed the goalkeeper with a delightful cross across the face of goal, and his teammate Jordan James had the straightforward job of easing Wales' tension.