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The Welsh side secured a tight 1-0 win over underdogs Liechtenstein to sustain their chances of World Cup qualifying.

Wales' James notched his first goal for Wales from inside the box after the home side's assorted collection of full-time players, amateurs and students had held out for more than 60 minutes. The scorer ran off in elation with his visible excitement echoed by the 3,000 Welsh fans occupying most sections of the stadium in the capital.

Moments later, though, Jordan James was booked and another yellow for Ethan Ampadu resulted in the pair are ruled out for Tuesday’s crunch tie with North Macedonia through disciplinary issues.

The Wales' ground fixture is a encounter the Welsh team need to win to leapfrog North Macedonia and guarantee a improved draw in the final round in March.

The Wales manager had an unusual view from the dugout, the Wales manager undertaking a sideline suspension after being shown a additional booking in the competition last month.

Bellamy’s number two Cremers assumed duties in the dugout and four of Wales’s starters – James, Ethan Ampadu, Rodon, Neco Williams – were one caution from from missing the final qualifier. A pair received cautions in moments that might hamper Wales.

Their opponents, ranked 206 out of 210 teams in global rankings, had not scored in their six qualifying defeats and conceded 23 times at an rate of almost four per game.

Wales as expected had most of the play as Liechtenstein adopted a deep defensive line and defended in numbers.

Their opponent's target remained unthreatened until Nathan Broadhead chasing down won possession and Jordan James saw his effort from the penalty area saved by the goalkeeper.

The same combination worked the next opening, James finding his teammate now with a precise pass over the top.

Broadhead’s fine first touch took him past the keeper but the attacker was unable to score from a difficult angle.

The Welsh team felt they scored the opener after the first half when Jordan James nodded a deep Sorba Thomas corner back into a packed penalty box.

Büchel was flustered by Lawlor and Rodon, and his poor clearance reached Broadhead who drove home emphatically. But Wales' joy were curtailed when the match official was directed to the video review system and decided that at least one of the Welsh central defenders was in an offside from James’s header.

Wales stepped up a gear after the interval and Thomas delivered a ball to the back post which the winger hit the crossbar.

Neco Williams then missed with a header from inside the penalty box as it appeared like a difficult match for Wales.

However, with the contest having entered its 61st minute, Williams executed a shrewd pass for his teammate to get in behind the home defence.

James cut out the goalkeeper with a superb cross along the six-yard box, and his namesake Jordan had the straightforward job of easing Wales' tension.