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Wales earned a narrow 1-0 win against international minnows Liechtenstein to keep alive their aspirations of World Cup progress.

Wales' James notched his maiden international strike for the national team from near the goal after the home side's assorted collection of professionals, office workers and part-timers had resisted for over an hour. James ran off in delight with his obvious relief echoed by the 3,000 Welsh fans occupying multiple stands of the stadium in the capital.

Soon afterwards, however, Jordan James was cautioned and a further booking for Ethan Ampadu resulted in the two players are suspended for the upcoming crucial match with North Macedonia due to suspension.

That Wales' ground contest is a game Wales have to secure victory in to move above their rivals and guarantee a better draw in the playoffs in next spring.

Bellamy had an different view from the dugout, Bellamy completing a technical area prohibition after receiving a second yellow card in the tournament earlier.

Bellamy’s assistant Piet Cremers assumed duties in the dugout and four of Wales’s starters – Jordan James, Ampadu, Rodon, Neco Williams – were at risk of suspension from being absent for the concluding match. A pair were booked in situations that could really hurt Wales.

Liechtenstein, situated near the bottom in international football, had been goalless in their six qualifying defeats and allowed 23 times at an average of almost four per game.

Wales predictably controlled the ball as Liechtenstein employed a compact shape and got bodies behind the ball.

The home goal saw little action until Nathan Broadhead high press forced an error and Jordan James saw his shot from the edge of the box saved by Büchel.

A similar move created another chance, James finding Broadhead this time with a well-weighted delivery over the top.

Broadhead’s fine touch took him past the keeper but the forward could not convert from a narrow position.

Wales felt they taken the lead after the first half when James headed a lofted Thomas set-piece back into a congested goal area.

The Liechtenstein keeper was under pressure by Dylan Lawlor and Rodon, and his feeble attempt fell to Broadhead who scored decisively. But Wales' celebrations were cut short when the match official was instructed to the pitchside monitor and ruled that one or more of the Wales central defenders was in an illegal position from James’s initial touch.

The visitors raised the tempo after the half-time and Thomas provided a ball to the far post which James struck the woodwork.

Neco Williams then headed wide from within the six-yard box as it began to look like a frustrating evening for the Welsh side.

Yet, with the match having reached its second half, Williams played a intelligent through ball for Daniel James to break behind the home defence.

Daniel James beat Büchel with a excellent ball into the danger area, and his namesake Jordan had the straightforward opportunity of ending Welsh anxiety.