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The Welsh side secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory against underdogs Liechtenstein to sustain their chances of World Cup finals progress.

Wales' James scored his first international strike for Wales from near the goal after Liechtenstein’s mix of full-time players, amateurs and part-timers had defended for over an hour. James wheeled away in joy with his clear emotion shared by the large contingent of Welsh supporters occupying multiple stands of the venue in the capital.

Soon afterwards, though, Jordan James was shown a yellow card and another late caution for Ethan Ampadu means the pair are ruled out for the upcoming decisive game with North Macedonia through disciplinary issues.

The home venue contest is a encounter the Welsh team must win to leapfrog their rivals and secure a more favourable draw in the final round in next spring.

The Wales manager had an different vantage point from the dugout, Bellamy undertaking a technical area prohibition after picking up a additional booking in the competition last month.

The manager's number two Piet Cremers took his place in the technical area and several key players – James, Ethan Ampadu, Rodon, Williams – were at risk of suspension from being absent for the last group game. Both James and Ampadu came unstuck in moments that may damage Wales.

The home side, ranked among the lowest-ranked in world football, had failed to score in their winless run and conceded twenty-three times at an rate of almost four per fixture.

The visitors predictably had most of the play as their hosts adopted a deep defensive line and packed their defence.

The home goal was rarely tested until Nathan Broadhead high press caused a mistake and Jordan James saw his shot from the penalty area saved by the goalkeeper.

That pairing created another chance, James finding his teammate on this occasion with a accurate ball over the top.

Broadhead’s fine touch took him past the keeper but the forward could not convert from a tight angle.

Wales believed they'd taken the lead after 26 minutes when Jordan James directed a deep Thomas corner back into a packed six-yard box.

The Liechtenstein keeper was harassed by Dylan Lawlor and Joe Rodon, and his weak punch fell to Broadhead who scored decisively. But Welsh joy were curtailed when the official was sent to the video review system and decided that at least one of the Welsh central defenders was in an offside from Jordan's header.

The visitors stepped up a gear after the break and Sorba Thomas sent in a ball to the back post which the winger struck the frame of the goal.

Williams then directed his header off target from within the six-yard box as it appeared like a difficult match for Wales.

Yet, with the contest having entered its second half, Williams played a intelligent through ball for his teammate to break behind the Liechtenstein defenders.

Daniel James cut out Büchel with a superb cross across the face of goal, and his teammate Jordan James had the straightforward opportunity of relieving Wales' nerves.