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Wales earned a hard-fought 1-0 win over less-fancied opponents Liechtenstein to sustain their aspirations of World Cup finals progress.

Wales' James notched his first international strike for Wales from inside the box after the home side's group of full-time players, amateurs and students had held out for more than 60 minutes. The scorer ran off in elation with his clear emotion mirrored by the 3,000 Welsh supporters packed into three sides of the stadium in the capital.

Soon afterwards, yet, James was shown a yellow card and another booking for his midfield partner ensured the pair are unavailable for the upcoming crunch tie with North Macedonia due to suspension.

That Wales' ground fixture is a clash Wales have to secure victory in to move above North Macedonia and secure a more favourable draw in the qualifying playoffs in March.

Craig Bellamy had an unfamiliar view from the sidelines, Bellamy undertaking a touchline ban after receiving a further caution in the tournament previously.

Bellamy’s deputy his assistant assumed duties in the coaching zone and multiple first-teamers – James, Ethan Ampadu, Joe Rodon, Williams – were at risk of suspension from missing the last group game. Both James and Ampadu were booked in situations that may damage their team.

Liechtenstein, placed near the bottom in global rankings, had been goalless in their winless run and let in 23 goals at an rate of almost four per match.

The visitors as expected controlled the ball as Liechtenstein adopted a low defensive block and got bodies behind the ball.

The home goal saw little action until the forward's pressing forced an error and Jordan James saw his shot from the penalty area saved by the goalkeeper.

A similar move worked the next opening, Jordan finding Broadhead now with a precise pass into space.

Broadhead’s superb control evaded Büchel but the attacker failed to finish from a narrow position.

The Welsh team thought they had scored the opener after the opening period when Jordan James directed a deep Sorba Thomas set-piece back into a packed goal area.

Büchel was under pressure by Dylan Lawlor and Rodon, and his poor clearance fell to Broadhead who drove home emphatically. But Wales' elation were halted when the official was instructed to the pitchside monitor and decided that at least one of the Welsh central defenders was in an illegal position from James’s initial touch.

The visitors raised the tempo after the break and Thomas provided a centering pass to the opposite side which James struck the woodwork.

Neco Williams then directed his header off target from within the goal area as it started to seem like a difficult match for the Welsh side.

Yet, with the match having ticked into its 61st minute, Williams executed a shrewd assist for Daniel James to get in behind the Liechtenstein defenders.

Daniel James beat Büchel with a excellent cross along the six-yard box, and his teammate Jordan had the easy opportunity of relieving Welsh anxiety.