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The Welsh side claimed a hard-fought 1-0 win over less-fancied opponents Liechtenstein to keep alive their chances of World Cup progress.

Jordan James notched his maiden goal for Wales from close range after the home side's mix of full-time players, office workers and part-timers had resisted for the majority of the match. The scorer ran off in elation with his clear emotion mirrored by the large contingent of Welsh fans filling most sections of the stadium in Vaduz.

Moments later, however, James was cautioned and another booking for his midfield partner resulted in the pair are suspended for Tuesday’s decisive game with North Macedonia due to accumulated bookings.

That home venue fixture is a game the Welsh team have to secure victory in to move above their rivals and obtain a more favourable seeding in the qualifying playoffs in March.

Craig Bellamy had an different view from the dugout, the head coach completing a touchline ban after being shown a additional booking in the tournament last month.

The manager's deputy Cremers took his place in the coaching zone and four of Wales’s starters – James, Ampadu, Joe Rodon, Williams – were one caution from from missing the concluding match. Two of them were booked in incidents that might hamper Wales.

Their opponents, ranked among the lowest-ranked in global rankings, had not scored in their six qualifying defeats and allowed 23 times at an rate of almost four per match.

The visitors predictably controlled the ball as their hosts lay in a compact shape and defended in numbers.

Liechtenstein's net remained unthreatened until Broadhead chasing down caused a mistake and James saw his attempt from the edge of the box saved by the goalkeeper.

That pairing worked the next opening, James locating Broadhead this time with a accurate ball over the top.

The attacker's fine touch beat Büchel but the Wrexham striker could not convert from a narrow position.

The Welsh team thought they had broken the deadlock after the first half when James nodded a deep Sorba Thomas set-piece back into a crowded penalty box.

Büchel was flustered by Lawlor and Joe Rodon, and his feeble attempt fell to Nathan Broadhead who finished powerfully. But Welsh celebrations were cut short when the official was directed to the pitchside monitor and decided that one or more of the Welsh centre-halves was in an illegal position from James’s header.

Wales increased the pressure after the break and Thomas delivered a ball to the far post which James struck the crossbar.

Williams then directed his header off target from inside the goal area as it appeared like one of those nights for the Welsh side.

However, with the contest having ticked into its final half-hour, Neco Williams played a intelligent pass for his teammate to get in behind the home defence.

James beat Büchel with a excellent ball along the six-yard box, and his teammate Jordan had the simple opportunity of relieving Welsh nerves.