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The Welsh side earned a narrow 1-0 success against international minnows Liechtenstein to keep alive their chances of World Cup finals progress.

Wales' James claimed his first international strike for the national team from inside the box after the home side's group of professionals, office workers and part-timers had held out for over an hour. The scorer ran off in delight with his clear emotion echoed by the 3,000 Wales supporters packed into multiple stands of the Rheinpark Stadion in the capital.

Shortly after, yet, Jordan James was cautioned and a further late caution for his midfield partner ensured the two players are ruled out for Tuesday’s decisive game with their next opponents through disciplinary issues.

That Cardiff City Stadium contest is a encounter Wales must win to overtake North Macedonia and guarantee a improved position in the final round in March.

Bellamy had an unfamiliar vantage point from the sidelines, Bellamy completing a touchline ban after receiving a second yellow card in the competition earlier.

The manager's deputy Piet Cremers took his place in the coaching zone and several key players – Jordan James, Ethan Ampadu, Rodon, Williams – were at risk of suspension from sitting out the last group game. Both James and Ampadu came unstuck in incidents that could really hurt their team.

Liechtenstein, ranked 206 out of 210 teams in world football, had not scored in their six qualifying defeats and let in 23 times at an average of nearly four per match.

The visitors predictably had most of the play as their hosts employed a compact shape and packed their defence.

The home goal remained unthreatened until the forward's high press won possession and James saw his attempt from the edge of the box pushed aside by Benjamin Büchel.

The same combination crafted an opportunity, Jordan finding his teammate on this occasion with a precise delivery over the top.

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

The Welsh team felt they taken the lead after the first half when James headed a lofted Thomas corner back into a congested penalty box.

Büchel was under pressure by Lawlor and Joe Rodon, and his weak punch fell to Nathan Broadhead who scored decisively. But Wales' joy were halted when the match official was directed to the VAR screen and determined that at least one of the Welsh centre-halves was in an offside from James’s header.

The visitors raised the tempo after the half-time and Sorba Thomas sent in a ball to the far post which Daniel James rattled against the frame of the goal.

Neco Williams then missed with a header from inside the goal area as it started to seem like one of those nights for Wales.

But, with the match having reached its second half, Neco Williams executed a clever assist for his teammate to get in behind the Liechtenstein defenders.

Daniel James cut out the goalkeeper with a delightful ball along the six-yard box, and his teammate Jordan had the simple task of easing Wales' tension.