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Wales claimed a narrow 1-0 success against underdogs Liechtenstein to keep alive their aspirations of World Cup finals progress.

Jordan James claimed his debut international strike for Wales from near the goal after Liechtenstein’s mix of professionals, amateurs and students had defended for over an hour. James celebrated in joy with his visible excitement echoed by the 3,000 Wales fans packed into most sections of the venue in Vaduz.

Shortly after, yet, Jordan James was booked and a further booking for his midfield partner means both midfielders are ruled out for Tuesday’s crunch tie with North Macedonia through disciplinary issues.

That home venue contest is a encounter Wales must win to overtake North Macedonia and obtain a more favourable seeding in the final round in March.

Bellamy had an unusual vantage point from the sidelines, the head coach undertaking a technical area prohibition after picking up a additional booking in the tournament earlier.

The manager's deputy Cremers took his place in the coaching zone and multiple first-teamers – James, Ampadu, Rodon, Neco Williams – were at risk of suspension from being absent for the last group game. Two of them were booked in moments that may damage Wales.

Their opponents, situated 206 out of 210 teams in global rankings, had failed to score in their previous six losses and let in twenty-three goals at an average of nearly four per match.

Wales predictably dominated possession as Liechtenstein lay in a low defensive block and got bodies behind the ball.

Liechtenstein's net remained unthreatened until Nathan Broadhead pressing won possession and Jordan James saw his shot from the 18-yard line parried by the goalkeeper.

That pairing crafted an opportunity, Jordan finding his teammate this time with a accurate ball into space.

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

Wales thought they had scored the opener after 26 minutes when Jordan James nodded a high Sorba Thomas set-piece back into a crowded penalty box.

The Liechtenstein keeper was harassed by Lawlor and Joe Rodon, and his weak punch fell to Nathan Broadhead who drove home emphatically. But Welsh celebrations were curtailed when the referee was sent to the video review system and decided that a player of the Wales central defenders was in an offside from Jordan's initial touch.

Wales raised the tempo after the half-time and Thomas provided a centering pass to the back post which the winger hit the woodwork.

Williams then headed wide from inside the penalty box as it began to look like a difficult match for the Welsh side.

However, with the match having entered its 61st minute, Williams delivered a shrewd through ball for his teammate to get in behind the Liechtenstein defenders.

James bypassed Büchel with a superb cross along the six-yard box, and his namesake Jordan James had the simple task of ending Welsh anxiety.