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Wales secured a narrow 1-0 success against less-fancied opponents Liechtenstein to keep alive their chances of World Cup finals qualification.

Jordan James scored his maiden goal for Wales from close range after Liechtenstein’s assorted collection of professionals, amateurs and part-timers had held out for the majority of the match. The scorer ran off in delight with his obvious relief shared by the 3,000 Wales supporters filling most sections of the stadium in the capital.

Shortly after, though, Jordan James was booked and another late caution for Ethan Ampadu ensured the two players are suspended for the upcoming crucial match with North Macedonia due to suspension.

The Cardiff City Stadium contest is a game the Welsh team must win to overtake their rivals and guarantee a improved draw in the qualifying playoffs in March.

The Wales manager had an different view from the sidelines, the Wales manager serving a touchline ban after receiving a second yellow card in the competition previously.

Bellamy’s number two his assistant stood in in the dugout and four of Wales’s starters – James, Ampadu, Rodon, Williams – were a booking away from sitting out the final qualifier. A pair came unstuck in moments that might hamper Wales.

Liechtenstein, ranked near the bottom in international football, had failed to score in their six qualifying defeats and let in twenty-three times at an average of almost four per fixture.

Wales unsurprisingly controlled the ball as their hosts lay in a low defensive block and defended in numbers.

The home goal saw little action until Broadhead high press forced an error and Jordan James saw his attempt from the edge of the box saved by Benjamin Büchel.

That pairing created another chance, James finding his teammate on this occasion with a precise ball over the top.

Broadhead’s fine control took him past the keeper but the Wrexham striker could not convert from a tight angle.

The Welsh team felt they scored the opener after 26 minutes when Jordan James nodded a deep Sorba Thomas set-piece back into a crowded six-yard box.

The Liechtenstein keeper was flustered by Lawlor and Joe Rodon, and his feeble attempt landed with Nathan Broadhead who drove home emphatically. But Welsh celebrations were cut short when the official was sent to the video review system and determined that a player of the Welsh central defenders was in an illegal position from Jordan's initial touch.

The visitors stepped up a gear after the break and Thomas provided a ball to the opposite side which James rattled against the crossbar.

Williams then headed wide from within the goal area as it started to seem like a frustrating evening for Wales.

But, with the match having reached its final half-hour, Neco Williams delivered a intelligent assist for Daniel James to run past the Liechtenstein defenders.

James cut out Büchel with a excellent ball into the danger area, and his teammate Jordan James had the straightforward opportunity of easing Wales' anxiety.