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Wales earned a hard-fought 1-0 victory against underdogs Liechtenstein to keep alive their chances of World Cup finals progress.

The young midfielder claimed his first international strike for Wales from inside the box after the home side's assorted collection of professionals, office workers and part-timers had held out for the majority of the match. James ran off in elation with his obvious relief mirrored by the 3,000 Welsh supporters filling most sections of the venue in Vaduz.

Shortly after, though, James was cautioned and another yellow for Ethan Ampadu means the two players are unavailable for the upcoming crunch tie with their next opponents due to suspension.

That home venue match is a encounter the Welsh team must win to overtake North Macedonia and secure a improved draw in the final round in next spring.

Bellamy had an unusual vantage point from the sidelines, the head coach undertaking a sideline suspension after receiving a second yellow card in the qualifiers previously.

Bellamy’s deputy Piet Cremers took his place in the coaching zone and four of Wales’s starters – Jordan James, Ampadu, Rodon, Williams – were at risk of suspension from being absent for the last group game. Two of them received cautions in situations that could really hurt Wales.

Liechtenstein, situated 206 out of 210 teams in global rankings, had not scored in their previous six losses and let in twenty-three times at an average of around four per match.

The visitors as expected had most of the play as their hosts lay in a deep defensive line and got bodies behind the ball.

Liechtenstein's net saw little action until Broadhead chasing down forced an error and James saw his effort from the 18-yard line saved by Büchel.

A similar move created another chance, Jordan picking out Broadhead this time with a accurate pass into space.

Broadhead’s superb control took him past the keeper but the forward was unable to score from a difficult angle.

Wales thought they had taken the lead after 26 minutes when Jordan James headed a high Sorba Thomas corner back into a crowded six-yard box.

The Liechtenstein keeper was under pressure by Dylan Lawlor and Rodon, and his poor clearance landed with Broadhead who scored decisively. But Welsh elation were cut short when the referee was instructed to the pitchside monitor and decided that a player of the Wales central defenders was in an offside from James’s header.

Wales stepped up a gear after the half-time and Sorba Thomas provided a ball to the far post which the winger rattled against the woodwork.

Williams then missed with a header from within the goal area as it began to look like a difficult match for the Welsh side.

Yet, with the contest having reached its final half-hour, Williams played a shrewd assist for Daniel James to get in behind the opposition backline.

Daniel James beat Büchel with a delightful pass into the danger area, and his namesake Jordan James had the easy job of relieving Wales' anxiety.