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Wales earned a narrow 1-0 win over less-fancied opponents Liechtenstein to maintain their hopes of World Cup progress.

Wales' James notched his first international strike for the national team from inside the box after Liechtenstein’s mix of professionals, office workers and students had resisted for the majority of the match. James celebrated in elation with his visible excitement mirrored by the 3,000 Wales followers filling most sections of the venue in Vaduz.

Moments later, however, Jordan James was shown a yellow card and a further booking for his midfield partner resulted in both midfielders are unavailable for Tuesday’s crucial match with their next opponents through accumulated bookings.

That Wales' ground fixture is a game the Welsh team need to win to move above their rivals and obtain a improved position in the qualifying playoffs in next spring.

Bellamy had an different perspective from the stands, the head coach undertaking a technical area prohibition after picking up a further caution in the qualifiers earlier.

The manager's assistant Piet Cremers assumed duties in the coaching zone and four of Wales’s starters – James, Ethan Ampadu, Rodon, Williams – were one caution from from sitting out the final qualifier. A pair came unstuck in situations that might hamper their team.

Liechtenstein, placed 206 out of 210 teams in international football, had been goalless in their previous six losses and allowed 23 times at an rate of nearly four per game.

The visitors predictably had most of the play as Liechtenstein lay in a compact shape and defended in numbers.

Liechtenstein's net remained unthreatened until the forward's chasing down caused a mistake and James saw his shot from the penalty area pushed aside by the goalkeeper.

That pairing crafted an opportunity, James picking out his teammate now with a accurate pass into space.

Broadhead’s superb control beat the keeper but the Wrexham striker failed to finish from a narrow position.

Wales felt they taken the lead after the first half when James directed a high Sorba Thomas corner back into a packed six-yard box.

Büchel was harassed by Lawlor and Rodon, and his poor clearance landed with Broadhead who drove home emphatically. But Welsh celebrations were curtailed when the referee was instructed to the VAR screen and determined that one or more of the Welsh central defenders was in an offside position from Jordan's initial touch.

The visitors increased the pressure after the interval and Thomas sent in a cross to the opposite side which James hit the woodwork.

Neco Williams then headed wide from inside the penalty box as it appeared like a difficult match for Wales.

But, with the match having reached its final half-hour, Williams executed a shrewd pass for his teammate to get in behind the opposition backline.

Daniel James beat Büchel with a delightful cross along the six-yard box, and his namesake Jordan had the easy task of ending Wales' tension.