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Wales claimed a tight 1-0 victory over less-fancied opponents Liechtenstein to keep alive their hopes of World Cup qualification.

Wales' James scored his first goal for Wales from close range after the home side's assorted collection of professionals, amateurs and students had defended for the majority of the match. The scorer ran off in delight with his visible excitement echoed by the three thousand Wales fans filling three sides of the Rheinpark Stadion in Vaduz.

Shortly after, yet, Jordan James was cautioned and another yellow for his midfield partner ensured the two players are unavailable for Tuesday’s decisive game with their next opponents through suspension.

That Cardiff City Stadium match is a game Wales must win to overtake North Macedonia and secure a better position in the qualifying playoffs in next spring.

Bellamy had an unfamiliar perspective from the sidelines, the Wales manager completing a technical area prohibition after picking up a second yellow card in the tournament last month.

The manager's number two Piet Cremers stood in in the coaching zone and multiple first-teamers – James, Ethan Ampadu, Rodon, Williams – were a booking away from sitting out the last group game. A pair came unstuck in moments that might hamper Wales.

Liechtenstein, situated among the lowest-ranked in international football, had been goalless in their winless run and let in 23 goals at an average of almost four per fixture.

Wales as expected had most of the play as Liechtenstein employed a low defensive block and defended in numbers.

Liechtenstein's net saw little action until Broadhead high press won possession and James saw his shot from the edge of the box parried by the goalkeeper.

The same combination worked the next opening, James picking out Broadhead now with a well-weighted ball into space.

Broadhead’s excellent touch beat Büchel but the forward could not convert from a narrow position.

Wales believed they'd broken the deadlock after the opening period when Jordan James nodded a high Thomas set-piece back into a crowded penalty box.

The Liechtenstein keeper was under pressure by Lawlor and Joe Rodon, and his poor clearance landed with Nathan Broadhead who finished powerfully. But Welsh joy were cut short when the match official was directed to the pitchside monitor and determined that one or more of the Wales central defenders was in an offside from Jordan's initial touch.

Wales stepped up a gear after the interval and Thomas sent in a cross to the back post which Daniel James rattled against the crossbar.

Neco Williams then missed with a header from within the penalty box as it appeared like a difficult match for the Welsh side.

But, with the contest having ticked into its final half-hour, Williams played a intelligent pass for his teammate to get in behind the Liechtenstein defenders.

Daniel James bypassed Büchel with a excellent ball into the danger area, and his teammate Jordan had the simple task of relieving Wales' nerves.