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The Welsh side claimed a tight 1-0 victory over less-fancied opponents Liechtenstein to maintain their aspirations of World Cup qualifying.

Jordan James scored his first goal for the national team from inside the box after Liechtenstein’s group of professionals, amateurs and part-timers had defended for more than 60 minutes. The scorer wheeled away in joy with his obvious relief echoed by the large contingent of Wales supporters occupying three sides of the stadium in Vaduz.

Shortly after, however, Jordan James was cautioned and another booking for his midfield partner means the pair are ruled out for the upcoming decisive game with North Macedonia due to disciplinary issues.

The home venue contest is a game Wales must win to overtake their rivals and secure a more favourable draw in the playoffs in next spring.

Bellamy had an different view from the stands, the head coach serving a sideline suspension after being shown a further caution in the tournament earlier.

The manager's number two Cremers stood in in the coaching zone and multiple first-teamers – Jordan James, Ampadu, Joe Rodon, Williams – were a booking away from being absent for the last group game. A pair were booked in incidents that may damage Wales.

Their opponents, placed 206 out of 210 teams in international football, had been goalless in their previous six losses and let in twenty-three goals at an rate of nearly four per game.

The visitors predictably dominated possession as their hosts employed a compact shape and defended in numbers.

Liechtenstein's net was rarely tested until Broadhead high press caused a mistake and Jordan James saw his shot from the 18-yard line pushed aside by Benjamin Büchel.

A similar move created another chance, Jordan picking out Broadhead on this occasion with a precise ball into space.

Broadhead’s superb touch evaded the keeper but the forward could not convert from a narrow position.

The Welsh team felt they scored the opener after the first half when Jordan James headed a deep Sorba Thomas corner back into a congested goal area.

The Liechtenstein keeper was under pressure by Dylan Lawlor and Joe Rodon, and his weak punch landed with Nathan Broadhead who finished powerfully. But Welsh elation were cut short when the official was instructed to the pitchside monitor and ruled that one or more of the Wales centre-halves was in an offside from James’s header.

The visitors stepped up a gear after the half-time and Thomas delivered a cross to the opposite side which the winger rattled against the frame of the goal.

Williams then missed with a header from within the penalty box as it began to look like one of those nights for Wales.

Yet, with the match having entered its final half-hour, Neco Williams played a intelligent through ball for his teammate to break behind the opposition backline.

James cut out Büchel with a superb cross along the six-yard box, and his teammate Jordan had the straightforward task of easing Welsh anxiety.