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Wales earned a narrow 1-0 success against underdogs Liechtenstein to keep alive their hopes of World Cup qualification.

Wales' James scored his maiden international strike for Wales from near the goal after Liechtenstein’s mix of professionals, office workers and part-timers had resisted for over an hour. James wheeled away in joy with his visible excitement mirrored by the three thousand Wales followers occupying most sections of the stadium in the capital.

Soon afterwards, though, James was cautioned and a further booking for Ethan Ampadu ensured the two players are suspended for the upcoming crunch tie with North Macedonia through suspension.

The Cardiff City Stadium match is a game Wales have to secure victory in to leapfrog their rivals and secure a more favourable draw in the qualifying playoffs in March.

Craig Bellamy had an unfamiliar perspective from the stands, Bellamy undertaking a technical area prohibition after being shown a second yellow card in the tournament last month.

The manager's assistant Cremers assumed duties in the technical area and several key players – Jordan James, Ampadu, Joe Rodon, Williams – were a booking away from sitting out the concluding match. Both James and Ampadu came unstuck in moments that may damage their team.

Liechtenstein, placed 206 out of 210 teams in international football, had been goalless in their six qualifying defeats and let in twenty-three times at an rate of almost four per fixture.

Wales as expected had most of the play as their hosts employed a compact shape and got bodies behind the ball.

The home goal was rarely tested until the forward's high press forced an error and Jordan James saw his shot from the penalty area parried by the goalkeeper.

That pairing created another chance, Jordan finding his teammate this time with a accurate pass over the top.

Broadhead’s superb first touch evaded Büchel but the attacker was unable to score from a narrow position.

Wales believed they'd taken the lead after the opening period when James nodded a lofted Sorba Thomas corner back into a crowded penalty box.

Büchel was flustered by Lawlor and Rodon, and his feeble attempt fell to Broadhead who finished powerfully. But Welsh celebrations were halted when the referee was instructed to the video review system and ruled that at least one of the Welsh centre-halves was in an offside from James’s header.

The visitors increased the pressure after the interval and Sorba Thomas sent in a cross to the opposite side which James rattled against the crossbar.

Neco Williams then directed his header off target from within the six-yard box as it appeared like a difficult match for the Welsh side.

Yet, with the contest having reached its second half, Neco Williams delivered a shrewd assist for his teammate to get in behind the Liechtenstein defenders.

James cut out the goalkeeper with a superb cross along the six-yard box, and his teammate Jordan James had the straightforward job of relieving Wales' anxiety.