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The Welsh side claimed a tight 1-0 win against underdogs Liechtenstein to maintain their chances of World Cup finals qualifying.

Wales' James scored his first goal for the national team from inside the box after Liechtenstein’s assorted collection of full-time players, office workers and part-timers had held out for more than 60 minutes. The scorer celebrated in joy with his visible excitement mirrored by the large contingent of Wales fans packed into most sections of the venue in the capital.

Soon afterwards, though, Jordan James was booked and a further yellow for his midfield partner ensured the two players are ruled out for the upcoming decisive game with North Macedonia through accumulated bookings.

The home venue contest is a clash the Welsh team must win to leapfrog North Macedonia and guarantee a more favourable seeding in the final round in next spring.

Craig Bellamy had an different perspective from the stands, the Wales manager undertaking a touchline ban after receiving a further caution in the tournament earlier.

The manager's assistant his assistant assumed duties in the dugout and several key players – Jordan James, Ampadu, Rodon, Neco Williams – were one caution from from missing the final qualifier. Both James and Ampadu came unstuck in moments that might hamper their team.

Their opponents, situated near the bottom in international football, had failed to score in their previous six losses and let in 23 times at an average of around four per game.

The visitors predictably dominated possession as Liechtenstein employed a low defensive block and packed their defence.

Their opponent's target remained unthreatened until the forward's chasing down won possession and Jordan James saw his attempt from the 18-yard line parried by Büchel.

That pairing worked the next opening, James picking out his teammate now with a precise delivery over the top.

The attacker's superb control evaded Büchel but the attacker could not convert from a difficult angle.

Wales believed they'd scored the opener after 26 minutes when Jordan James directed a deep Thomas set-piece back into a crowded penalty box.

Büchel was flustered by Lawlor and Rodon, and his weak punch fell to Broadhead who finished powerfully. But Welsh joy were curtailed when the match official was sent to the pitchside monitor and decided that one or more of the Welsh central defenders was in an illegal position from Jordan's initial touch.

Wales raised the tempo after the interval and Sorba Thomas sent in a cross to the back post which James struck the crossbar.

Neco Williams then missed with a header from within the goal area as it started to seem like a difficult match for the Welsh side.

However, with the match having reached its 61st minute, Williams delivered a shrewd pass for his teammate to run past the Liechtenstein defenders.

James bypassed Büchel with a excellent cross into the danger area, and his namesake Jordan James had the easy job of ending Welsh nerves.