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Wales secured a narrow 1-0 victory against less-fancied opponents Liechtenstein to maintain their hopes of World Cup progress.

Jordan James scored his first international strike for the national team from inside the box after Liechtenstein’s assorted collection of professionals, amateurs and part-timers had held out for over an hour. James celebrated in elation with his obvious relief shared by the three thousand Welsh followers filling most sections of the venue in the capital.

Shortly after, however, Jordan James was shown a yellow card and another booking for his midfield partner ensured both midfielders are ruled out for Tuesday’s crunch tie with their next opponents through suspension.

The home venue contest is a clash the Welsh team must win to leapfrog their rivals and obtain a more favourable seeding in the playoffs in next spring.

Craig Bellamy had an different vantage point from the stands, Bellamy completing a sideline suspension after being shown a further caution in the tournament previously.

The manager's deputy Cremers assumed duties in the dugout and four of Wales’s starters – Jordan James, Ampadu, Joe Rodon, Neco Williams – were one caution from from sitting out the final qualifier. Both James and Ampadu came unstuck in moments that might hamper their team.

The home side, placed 206 out of 210 teams in global rankings, had not scored in their winless run and let in twenty-three times at an average of almost four per match.

Wales as expected controlled the ball as their hosts adopted a compact shape and got bodies behind the ball.

Their opponent's target remained unthreatened until Broadhead pressing caused a mistake and James saw his effort from the penalty area parried by the goalkeeper.

That pairing created another chance, Jordan locating Broadhead now with a precise pass into space.

Broadhead’s fine control took him past the keeper but the forward was unable to score from a tight angle.

Wales thought they had scored the opener after the opening period when James nodded a deep Sorba Thomas corner back into a crowded penalty box.

Büchel was under pressure by Lawlor and Rodon, and his poor clearance reached Broadhead who scored decisively. But Welsh elation were curtailed when the official was instructed to the VAR screen and decided that at least one of the Welsh central defenders was in an offside position from Jordan's initial touch.

The visitors increased the pressure after the break and Sorba Thomas sent in a cross to the opposite side which James hit the crossbar.

Williams then missed with a header from inside the penalty box as it appeared like one of those nights for Wales.

However, with the contest having reached its 61st minute, Neco Williams executed a shrewd assist for Daniel James to run past the opposition backline.

Daniel James bypassed the goalkeeper with a delightful pass across the face of goal, and his teammate Jordan James had the straightforward task of ending Wales' nerves.