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Wales claimed a narrow 1-0 win over underdogs Liechtenstein to maintain their hopes of World Cup finals qualification.

Wales' James claimed his maiden goal for the national team from close range after Liechtenstein’s mix of full-time players, office workers and students had defended for more than 60 minutes. The scorer ran off in joy with his obvious relief shared by the large contingent of Welsh followers packed into multiple stands of the Rheinpark Stadion in the capital.

Shortly after, yet, Jordan James was booked and a further booking for his midfield partner ensured the pair are ruled out for the upcoming decisive game with their next opponents due to accumulated bookings.

That home venue fixture is a clash Wales have to secure victory in to overtake their rivals and secure a better seeding in the qualifying playoffs in next spring.

Bellamy had an different view from the sidelines, the Wales manager undertaking a sideline suspension after being shown a further caution in the qualifiers earlier.

Bellamy’s assistant his assistant assumed duties in the dugout and several key players – Jordan James, Ampadu, Rodon, Neco Williams – were a booking away from being absent for the final qualifier. A pair received cautions in moments that may damage their team.

Liechtenstein, placed 206 out of 210 teams in global rankings, had failed to score in their six qualifying defeats and conceded twenty-three goals at an rate of nearly four per game.

Wales as expected dominated possession as Liechtenstein employed a low defensive block and packed their defence.

Liechtenstein's net saw little action until Nathan Broadhead high press won possession and Jordan James saw his effort from the edge of the box saved by Büchel.

The same combination crafted an opportunity, James locating Broadhead on this occasion with a accurate pass over the top.

Broadhead’s excellent touch evaded the keeper but the Wrexham striker could not convert from a narrow position.

Wales thought they had scored the opener after the first half when James headed a lofted Sorba Thomas set-piece back into a packed penalty box.

Büchel was under pressure by Dylan Lawlor and Rodon, and his feeble attempt fell to Nathan Broadhead who drove home emphatically. But Wales' joy were cut short when the match official was directed to the VAR screen and decided that at least one of the Welsh central defenders was in an offside from James’s initial touch.

The visitors raised the tempo after the interval and Sorba Thomas delivered a centering pass to the far post which the winger rattled against the frame of the goal.

Williams then missed with a header from inside the penalty box as it started to seem like a difficult match for Wales.

However, with the game having ticked into its 61st minute, Neco Williams delivered a clever through ball for his teammate to run past the home defence.

Daniel James cut out the goalkeeper with a delightful cross across the face of goal, and his namesake Jordan James had the straightforward opportunity of ending Welsh tension.