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Wales earned a narrow 1-0 victory over international minnows Liechtenstein to maintain their chances of World Cup finals progress.

Wales' James notched his maiden international strike for Wales from near the goal after the home side's assorted collection of full-time players, office workers and part-timers had resisted for more than 60 minutes. The scorer celebrated in joy with his clear emotion shared by the large contingent of Wales supporters filling most sections of the venue in Vaduz.

Soon afterwards, though, Jordan James was shown a yellow card and another late caution for Ethan Ampadu resulted in both midfielders are unavailable for the upcoming crunch tie with their next opponents through suspension.

That Cardiff City Stadium match is a game Wales need to win to move above North Macedonia and secure a more favourable draw in the final round in next spring.

Craig Bellamy had an different vantage point from the stands, the head coach completing a touchline ban after receiving a second yellow card in the qualifiers previously.

The manager's number two his assistant assumed duties in the technical area and several key players – James, Ampadu, Joe Rodon, Neco Williams – were one caution from from missing the final qualifier. Two of them were booked in situations that may damage Wales.

Liechtenstein, placed among the lowest-ranked in international football, had not scored in their previous six losses and conceded 23 goals at an rate of around four per game.

The visitors as expected dominated possession as Liechtenstein adopted a low defensive block and packed their defence.

Liechtenstein's net remained unthreatened until Nathan Broadhead pressing forced an error and James saw his attempt from the edge of the box parried by the goalkeeper.

That pairing crafted an opportunity, James locating his teammate on this occasion with a accurate delivery behind the defence.

The attacker's excellent control evaded the keeper but the attacker was unable to score from a tight angle.

The Welsh team believed they'd taken the lead after the opening period when Jordan James directed a high Sorba Thomas corner back into a crowded goal area.

The Liechtenstein keeper was harassed by Dylan Lawlor and Rodon, and his weak punch landed with Broadhead who drove home emphatically. But Wales' elation were curtailed when the official was directed to the video review system and determined that a player of the Wales defenders was in an offside position from James’s initial touch.

Wales raised the tempo after the break and Thomas provided a centering pass to the opposite side which Daniel James rattled against the frame of the goal.

Neco Williams then headed wide from within the goal area as it began to look like a difficult match for Wales.

Yet, with the game having reached its second half, Neco Williams played a intelligent pass for his teammate to break behind the home defence.

James beat Büchel with a delightful cross across the face of goal, and his namesake Jordan had the straightforward job of ending Wales' anxiety.