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Wales earned a tight 1-0 success over underdogs Liechtenstein to keep alive their chances of World Cup finals qualifying.

Wales' James claimed his debut goal for Wales from near the goal after the home side's mix of full-time players, amateurs and part-timers had defended for the majority of the match. The scorer wheeled away in elation with his visible excitement shared by the three thousand Wales followers packed into most sections of the stadium in the capital.

Soon afterwards, yet, Jordan James was booked and another late caution for his midfield partner ensured the pair are suspended for the upcoming crucial match with their next opponents through suspension.

The home venue match is a encounter the Welsh team need to win to move above North Macedonia and secure a more favourable position in the playoffs in March.

Bellamy had an unusual perspective from the stands, the head coach completing a sideline suspension after receiving a further caution in the qualifiers earlier.

Bellamy’s assistant Cremers stood in in the technical area and several key players – James, Ampadu, Rodon, Williams – were at risk of suspension from sitting out the last group game. Two of them received cautions in moments that could really hurt Wales.

Their opponents, placed 206 out of 210 teams in international football, had failed to score in their six qualifying defeats and allowed twenty-three times at an rate of nearly four per fixture.

Wales as expected dominated possession as Liechtenstein lay in a deep defensive line and defended in numbers.

The home goal was rarely tested until Broadhead pressing won possession and Jordan James saw his attempt from the 18-yard line saved by Benjamin Büchel.

That pairing crafted an opportunity, James picking out his teammate on this occasion with a precise delivery into space.

Broadhead’s fine touch took him past Büchel but the forward failed to finish from a narrow position.

The Welsh team felt they taken the lead after 26 minutes when James nodded a lofted Sorba Thomas set-piece back into a crowded goal area.

The Liechtenstein keeper was under pressure by Dylan Lawlor and Joe Rodon, and his weak punch fell to Nathan Broadhead who finished powerfully. But Welsh celebrations were curtailed when the match official was sent to the video review system and determined that at least one of the Welsh defenders was in an illegal position from James’s header.

Wales stepped up a gear after the interval and Sorba Thomas delivered a cross to the back post which Daniel James rattled against the frame of the goal.

Williams then directed his header off target from within the goal area as it appeared like one of those nights for the Welsh side.

Yet, with the game having ticked into its final half-hour, Neco Williams played a clever through ball for his teammate to break behind the Liechtenstein defenders.

Daniel James cut out Büchel with a excellent pass along the six-yard box, and his namesake Jordan James had the simple job of easing Wales' tension.