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

Wales' James claimed his maiden international strike for Wales from near the goal after the home side's assorted collection of professionals, amateurs and students had resisted for the majority of the match. James ran off in delight with his obvious relief shared by the large contingent of Wales supporters occupying multiple stands of the Rheinpark Stadion in the capital.

Shortly after, however, Jordan James was booked and a further yellow for his midfield partner means the two players are unavailable for the upcoming crucial match with North Macedonia due to accumulated bookings.

That Wales' ground fixture is a game the Welsh team have to secure victory in to overtake North Macedonia and obtain a improved draw in the final round in next spring.

The Wales manager had an unusual view from the dugout, the Wales manager serving a touchline ban after receiving a further caution in the qualifiers last month.

Bellamy’s number two Cremers took his place in the technical area and several key players – James, Ampadu, Rodon, Williams – were one caution from from being absent for the last group game. Both James and Ampadu were booked in moments that could really hurt their team.

Liechtenstein, placed near the bottom in global rankings, had been goalless in their winless run and conceded 23 times at an average of nearly four per fixture.

Wales as expected dominated possession as their hosts employed a low defensive block and got bodies behind the ball.

The home goal remained unthreatened until Nathan Broadhead high press forced an error and James saw his attempt from the 18-yard line pushed aside by Benjamin Büchel.

That pairing created another chance, Jordan locating Broadhead this time with a well-weighted ball over the top.

Broadhead’s excellent first touch beat Büchel but the attacker could not convert from a difficult angle.

The Welsh team thought they had taken the lead after 26 minutes when Jordan James directed a deep Sorba Thomas corner back into a congested six-yard box.

Büchel was under pressure by Dylan Lawlor and Rodon, and his poor clearance reached Broadhead who scored decisively. But Wales' joy were cut short when the referee was instructed to the video review system and decided that a player of the Welsh central defenders was in an illegal position from James’s initial touch.

Wales increased the pressure after the break and Sorba Thomas sent in a centering pass to the back post which Daniel James struck the frame of the goal.

Neco Williams then headed wide from within the penalty box as it began to look like a frustrating evening for the Welsh side.

But, with the contest having ticked into its second half, Neco Williams delivered a shrewd through ball for Daniel James to run past the opposition backline.

Daniel James cut out Büchel with a excellent ball along the six-yard box, and his teammate Jordan James had the simple task of ending Wales' tension.