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The Welsh side claimed a narrow 1-0 victory over less-fancied opponents Liechtenstein to maintain their chances of World Cup progress.

Wales' James scored his first international strike for Wales from close range after Liechtenstein’s assorted collection of professionals, amateurs and students had resisted for over an hour. James wheeled away in delight with his clear emotion shared by the large contingent of Welsh followers occupying most sections of the Rheinpark Stadion in the capital.

Shortly after, yet, James was cautioned and another yellow for Ethan Ampadu means both midfielders are ruled out for the upcoming crunch tie with North Macedonia through disciplinary issues.

The home venue fixture is a encounter the Welsh team have to secure victory in to overtake North Macedonia and secure a better position in the qualifying playoffs in March.

Craig Bellamy had an different perspective from the sidelines, the head coach serving a touchline ban after picking up a second yellow card in the tournament previously.

Bellamy’s deputy Piet Cremers assumed duties in the coaching zone and several key players – Jordan James, Ampadu, Joe Rodon, Neco Williams – were at risk of suspension from being absent for the last group game. Both James and Ampadu received cautions in moments that could really hurt their team.

Their opponents, ranked 206 out of 210 teams in global rankings, had failed to score in their winless run and conceded twenty-three goals at an average of around four per game.

The visitors unsurprisingly controlled the ball as Liechtenstein lay in a deep defensive line and defended in numbers.

Their opponent's target remained unthreatened until the forward's chasing down won possession and Jordan James saw his attempt from the 18-yard line parried by Benjamin Büchel.

The same combination worked the next opening, James locating his teammate now with a well-weighted delivery into space.

The attacker's excellent control evaded Büchel but the forward could not convert from a narrow position.

Wales felt they scored the opener after the first half when Jordan James nodded a high Thomas corner back into a packed six-yard box.

The Liechtenstein keeper was flustered by Dylan Lawlor and Joe Rodon, and his feeble attempt fell to Broadhead who finished powerfully. But Wales' celebrations were cut short when the official was instructed to the pitchside monitor and ruled that a player of the Wales central defenders was in an offside position from Jordan's header.

The visitors increased the pressure after the break and Sorba Thomas delivered a centering pass to the back post which the winger struck the woodwork.

Williams then directed his header off target from inside the six-yard box as it began to look like a frustrating evening for Wales.

But, with the game having ticked into its 61st minute, Neco Williams played a clever assist for his teammate to break behind the opposition backline.

James bypassed Büchel with a excellent ball into the danger area, and his namesake Jordan had the simple job of ending Welsh nerves.