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The Welsh side claimed a hard-fought 1-0 success against less-fancied opponents Liechtenstein to keep alive their chances of World Cup finals progress.

The young midfielder claimed his maiden goal for the national team from close range after the home side's group of professionals, amateurs and part-timers had resisted for over an hour. James wheeled away in delight with his visible excitement mirrored by the 3,000 Wales followers filling multiple stands of the Rheinpark Stadion in Vaduz.

Moments later, yet, Jordan James was shown a yellow card and another late caution for Ethan Ampadu means the pair are unavailable for Tuesday’s crunch tie with North Macedonia due to disciplinary issues.

That home venue contest is a encounter Wales need to win to overtake their rivals and secure a more favourable seeding in the final round in March.

Craig Bellamy had an unusual view from the sidelines, the head coach serving a touchline ban after picking up a second yellow card in the competition earlier.

The manager's deputy his assistant assumed duties in the coaching zone and multiple first-teamers – Jordan James, Ampadu, Joe Rodon, Neco Williams – were one caution from from being absent for the final qualifier. A pair received cautions in incidents that might hamper Wales.

Liechtenstein, ranked among the lowest-ranked in global rankings, had not scored in their previous six losses and let in twenty-three goals at an rate of nearly four per match.

Wales as expected dominated possession as Liechtenstein lay in a deep defensive line and packed their defence.

Liechtenstein's net remained unthreatened until Nathan Broadhead high press forced an error and Jordan James saw his effort from the penalty area parried by the goalkeeper.

That pairing created another chance, Jordan locating his teammate now with a accurate pass over the top.

The attacker's excellent touch beat the keeper but the Wrexham striker could not convert from a tight angle.

The Welsh team felt they taken the lead after 26 minutes when James nodded a lofted Thomas corner back into a congested goal area.

The Liechtenstein keeper was harassed by Dylan Lawlor and Joe Rodon, and his feeble attempt landed with Nathan Broadhead who drove home emphatically. But Welsh joy were halted when the official was instructed to the pitchside monitor and decided that at least one of the Wales defenders was in an offside position from James’s initial touch.

Wales stepped up a gear after the interval and Sorba Thomas provided a centering pass to the far post which Daniel James hit 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.

But, with the contest having entered its 61st minute, Williams delivered a intelligent pass for his teammate to break behind the home defence.

Daniel James bypassed Büchel with a delightful ball into the danger area, and his teammate Jordan had the easy opportunity of relieving Wales' tension.