Wales' Jordan James nets the Welsh team to crucial World Cup triumph over Liechtenstein.

Wales earned a tight 1-0 success against less-fancied opponents Liechtenstein to maintain their chances of World Cup finals progress.

Jordan James scored his debut goal for Wales from inside the box after Liechtenstein’s assorted collection of full-time players, office workers and part-timers had defended for more than 60 minutes. The scorer celebrated in delight with his obvious relief mirrored by the 3,000 Wales fans filling most sections of the Rheinpark Stadion in Vaduz.

Moments later, though, James was booked and a further booking for his midfield partner means the pair are unavailable for Tuesday’s decisive game with North Macedonia through suspension.

The Wales' ground match is a encounter Wales have to secure victory in to move above their rivals and guarantee a more favourable draw in the playoffs in next spring.

Craig Bellamy had an unfamiliar view from the dugout, the head coach serving a technical area prohibition after being shown a additional booking in the tournament earlier.

Bellamy’s deputy Piet Cremers stood in in the coaching zone and several key players – James, Ethan Ampadu, Rodon, Neco Williams – were a booking away from missing the concluding match. A pair were booked in situations that could really hurt Wales.

Their opponents, ranked near the bottom in international football, had failed to score in their six qualifying defeats and let in twenty-three times at an average of around four per match.

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

The home goal was rarely tested until Nathan Broadhead chasing down caused a mistake and Jordan James saw his attempt from the 18-yard line saved by Büchel.

The same combination crafted an opportunity, Jordan finding his teammate on this occasion with a well-weighted pass behind the defence.

Broadhead’s fine control beat Büchel but the attacker failed to finish from a tight angle.

The Welsh team thought they had taken the lead after the opening period when James headed a high Sorba Thomas set-piece back into a packed penalty box.

Büchel was harassed by Dylan Lawlor and Rodon, and his weak punch reached Nathan Broadhead who scored decisively. But Welsh elation were halted when the official was sent to the video review system and decided that a player of the Wales defenders was in an offside position from James’s header.

Wales stepped up a gear after the half-time and Thomas sent in a ball to the back post which James struck the frame of the goal.

Neco Williams then directed his header off target from inside the goal area as it began to look like a difficult match for Wales.

But, with the contest having entered its second half, Neco Williams played a clever through ball for Daniel James to break behind the home defence.

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