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Wales earned a tight 1-0 win against less-fancied opponents Liechtenstein to sustain their hopes of World Cup finals qualifying.

Wales' James notched his first international strike for Wales from inside the box after Liechtenstein’s group of full-time players, amateurs and part-timers had defended for more than 60 minutes. The scorer ran off in joy with his obvious relief shared by the large contingent of Wales followers occupying multiple stands of the venue in the capital.

Soon afterwards, yet, Jordan James was cautioned and a further booking for his midfield partner resulted in both midfielders are ruled out for Tuesday’s decisive game with their next opponents through accumulated bookings.

The Wales' ground match is a encounter Wales have to secure victory in to leapfrog North Macedonia and secure a better draw in the qualifying playoffs in March.

The Wales manager had an unusual vantage point from the sidelines, the head coach undertaking a touchline ban after being shown a second yellow card in the qualifiers last month.

The manager's number two Cremers assumed duties in the technical area and several key players – James, Ethan Ampadu, Rodon, Williams – were a booking away from being absent for the final qualifier. A pair were booked in situations that might hamper their team.

Liechtenstein, situated 206 out of 210 teams in world football, had been goalless in their winless run and let in twenty-three times at an rate of almost four per fixture.

Wales predictably dominated possession as Liechtenstein lay in a low defensive block and defended in numbers.

The home goal was rarely tested until Broadhead pressing forced an error and Jordan James saw his attempt from the edge of the box pushed aside by the goalkeeper.

That pairing created another chance, Jordan locating Broadhead this time with a accurate delivery behind the defence.

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

The Welsh team believed they'd broken the deadlock after the opening period when James headed a high Sorba Thomas set-piece back into a crowded penalty box.

Büchel was flustered by Dylan Lawlor and Joe Rodon, and his weak punch fell to Broadhead who scored decisively. But Welsh joy were curtailed when the match official was instructed to the VAR screen and decided that at least one of the Welsh defenders was in an illegal position from Jordan's initial touch.

Wales raised the tempo after the half-time and Thomas provided a ball to the opposite side which the winger hit the woodwork.

Williams then headed wide from within the penalty box as it began to look like a difficult match for the Welsh side.

But, with the contest having entered its final half-hour, Williams executed a clever through ball for Daniel James to get in behind the opposition backline.

Daniel James bypassed the goalkeeper with a delightful cross along the six-yard box, and his teammate Jordan James had the straightforward task of relieving Wales' anxiety.