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The Welsh side secured a narrow 1-0 victory over underdogs Liechtenstein to keep alive their hopes of World Cup finals progress.

Jordan James notched his maiden international strike for Wales from inside the box after Liechtenstein’s assorted collection of full-time players, office workers and students had held out for the majority of the match. The scorer celebrated in joy with his visible excitement echoed by the 3,000 Wales supporters filling three sides of the stadium in Vaduz.

Shortly after, though, James was booked and another late caution for Ethan Ampadu means the two players are unavailable for Tuesday’s decisive game with their next opponents due to suspension.

The Wales' ground contest is a clash the Welsh team need to win to overtake their rivals and guarantee a more favourable seeding in the qualifying playoffs in next spring.

Bellamy had an unusual view from the stands, the head coach undertaking a sideline suspension after receiving a additional booking in the competition earlier.

The manager's assistant his assistant stood in in the dugout and multiple first-teamers – James, Ampadu, Rodon, Williams – were a booking away from missing the final qualifier. Both James and Ampadu came unstuck in moments that may damage Wales.

Liechtenstein, placed near the bottom in global rankings, had been goalless in their six qualifying defeats and allowed 23 goals at an average of around four per game.

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

Liechtenstein's net remained unthreatened until Broadhead high press caused a mistake and James saw his effort from the penalty area saved by the goalkeeper.

That pairing created another chance, Jordan picking out his teammate on this occasion with a accurate pass over the top.

Broadhead’s fine touch took him past Büchel but the Wrexham striker could not convert from a narrow position.

Wales felt they scored the opener after the opening period when Jordan James directed a deep Thomas set-piece back into a packed six-yard box.

The Liechtenstein keeper was under pressure by Dylan Lawlor and Rodon, and his feeble attempt reached Broadhead who drove home emphatically. But Welsh joy were curtailed when the official was sent to the pitchside monitor and ruled that one or more of the Welsh centre-halves was in an offside position from James’s initial touch.

Wales raised the tempo after the half-time and Thomas provided a cross to the far post which Daniel James rattled against the woodwork.

Williams then directed his header off target from inside the penalty box as it began to look like one of those nights for the Welsh side.

However, with the contest having reached its 61st minute, Williams executed a shrewd pass for Daniel James to run past the Liechtenstein defenders.

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