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Wales earned a narrow 1-0 success over less-fancied opponents Liechtenstein to maintain their aspirations of World Cup finals qualification.

Wales' James claimed his maiden international strike for Wales from close range after Liechtenstein’s assorted collection of full-time players, office workers and part-timers had resisted for the majority of the match. The scorer wheeled away in joy with his clear emotion shared by the 3,000 Welsh followers occupying most sections of the Rheinpark Stadion in Vaduz.

Soon afterwards, yet, James was shown a yellow card and a further yellow for his midfield partner means both midfielders are ruled out for Tuesday’s decisive game with North Macedonia through suspension.

That Wales' ground fixture is a encounter Wales need to win to leapfrog their rivals and secure a better position in the final round in March.

Craig Bellamy had an unfamiliar view from the sidelines, the head coach undertaking a touchline ban after picking up a second yellow card in the competition earlier.

The manager's assistant Piet Cremers took his place in the technical area and multiple first-teamers – James, Ampadu, Joe Rodon, Williams – were at risk of suspension from being absent for the last group game. Both James and Ampadu came unstuck in moments that may damage their team.

The home side, situated 206 out of 210 teams in global rankings, had not scored in their six qualifying defeats and allowed twenty-three times at an average of nearly four per game.

Wales as expected controlled the ball as their hosts employed a compact shape and packed their defence.

The home goal remained unthreatened until Broadhead high press won possession and James saw his effort from the edge of the box saved by Benjamin Büchel.

That pairing worked the next opening, Jordan picking out Broadhead this time with a well-weighted delivery into space.

Broadhead’s superb first touch beat Büchel but the forward was unable to score from a difficult angle.

The Welsh team believed they'd taken the lead after the first half when Jordan James headed a high Thomas corner back into a crowded six-yard box.

The Liechtenstein keeper was flustered by Lawlor and Joe Rodon, and his poor clearance fell to Nathan Broadhead who finished powerfully. But Wales' celebrations were cut short when the referee was sent to the video review system and ruled that at least one of the Welsh centre-halves was in an offside from Jordan's initial touch.

Wales raised the tempo after the break and Sorba Thomas provided a ball to the far post which Daniel James hit the frame of the goal.

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

But, with the contest having ticked into its 61st minute, Williams played a intelligent through ball for his teammate to break behind the opposition backline.

Daniel James beat the goalkeeper with a superb pass into the danger area, and his namesake Jordan James had the simple task of ending Welsh tension.