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The Welsh side claimed a tight 1-0 success against underdogs Liechtenstein to maintain their chances of World Cup qualification.

Wales' James scored his first international strike for Wales from near the goal after the home side's assorted collection of full-time players, office workers and students had resisted for the majority of the match. James ran off in joy with his obvious relief mirrored by the large contingent of Wales fans packed into multiple stands of the Rheinpark Stadion in Vaduz.

Shortly after, yet, Jordan James was booked and a further late caution for Ethan Ampadu ensured the pair are unavailable for the upcoming crucial match with North Macedonia due to disciplinary issues.

The Cardiff City Stadium contest is a game Wales need to win to leapfrog their rivals and secure a better position in the qualifying playoffs in next spring.

Craig Bellamy had an unusual perspective from the dugout, Bellamy undertaking a technical area prohibition after being shown a additional booking in the qualifiers earlier.

The manager's number two Piet Cremers took his place in the technical area and multiple first-teamers – James, Ethan Ampadu, Rodon, Williams – were one caution from from missing the final qualifier. Both James and Ampadu came unstuck in incidents that may damage Wales.

Liechtenstein, situated among the lowest-ranked in world football, had been goalless in their winless run and conceded 23 times at an rate of around four per fixture.

Wales as expected controlled the ball as their hosts employed a deep defensive line and got bodies behind the ball.

Liechtenstein's net saw little action until Nathan Broadhead chasing down forced an error and Jordan James saw his attempt from the penalty area saved by Büchel.

That pairing created another chance, James picking out his teammate this time with a well-weighted pass into space.

The attacker's superb control took him past the keeper but the attacker could not convert from a difficult angle.

The Welsh team thought they had broken the deadlock after 26 minutes when Jordan James nodded a lofted Thomas set-piece back into a packed penalty box.

Büchel was harassed by Dylan Lawlor and Joe Rodon, and his feeble attempt landed with Nathan Broadhead who scored decisively. But Wales' joy were curtailed when the official was instructed to the pitchside monitor and ruled that a player of the Welsh central defenders was in an offside from Jordan's initial touch.

The visitors increased the pressure after the half-time and Sorba Thomas provided a cross to the far post which James hit the crossbar.

Neco Williams then directed his header off target from within the penalty box as it started to seem like a frustrating evening for Wales.

However, with the game having reached its 61st minute, Neco Williams played a intelligent through ball for Daniel James to break behind the home defence.

James cut out Büchel with a delightful pass into the danger area, and his teammate Jordan had the straightforward task of relieving Wales' anxiety.