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The Welsh side earned a hard-fought 1-0 success against international minnows Liechtenstein to keep alive their aspirations of World Cup finals qualifying.

Jordan James claimed his maiden goal for the national team from inside the box after Liechtenstein’s assorted collection of professionals, amateurs and students had defended for over an hour. The scorer celebrated in elation with his obvious relief echoed by the three thousand Wales fans occupying three sides of the venue in Vaduz.

Soon afterwards, though, James was cautioned and another late caution for his midfield partner resulted in both midfielders are ruled out for the upcoming decisive game with North Macedonia due to disciplinary issues.

That Wales' ground contest is a game Wales must win to leapfrog their rivals and secure a more favourable draw in the final round in next spring.

Bellamy had an unusual perspective from the sidelines, Bellamy serving a technical area prohibition after picking up a second yellow card in the qualifiers last month.

The manager's number two Piet Cremers took his place in the technical area and four of Wales’s starters – Jordan James, Ethan Ampadu, Rodon, Neco Williams – were a booking away from sitting out the concluding match. Two of them received cautions in incidents that could really hurt Wales.

Their opponents, situated 206 out of 210 teams in global rankings, had not scored in their six qualifying defeats and let in twenty-three times at an average of nearly four per match.

Wales as expected controlled the ball as Liechtenstein lay in a low defensive block and packed their defence.

Liechtenstein's net was rarely tested until the forward's high press forced an error and James saw his shot from the penalty area parried by Benjamin Büchel.

The same combination worked the next opening, James finding his teammate this time with a precise pass over the top.

The attacker's fine touch took him past Büchel but the Wrexham striker could not convert from a narrow position.

The Welsh team felt they taken the lead after the opening period when Jordan James nodded a deep Thomas set-piece back into a crowded goal area.

Büchel was flustered by Lawlor and Joe Rodon, and his poor clearance reached Broadhead who finished powerfully. But Welsh celebrations were curtailed when the official was sent to the VAR screen and determined that a player of the Welsh defenders was in an offside from James’s initial touch.

The visitors stepped up a gear after the break and Sorba Thomas provided a cross to the opposite side which the winger struck the frame of the goal.

Neco Williams then missed with a header from inside the goal area as it began to look like a difficult match for Wales.

But, with the match having entered its final half-hour, Williams delivered a shrewd pass for his teammate to get in behind the home defence.

Daniel James beat the goalkeeper with a delightful cross into the danger area, and his teammate Jordan had the straightforward task of easing Wales' nerves.