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Wales claimed a tight 1-0 success over international minnows Liechtenstein to keep alive their hopes of World Cup finals qualification.

Jordan James notched his maiden international strike for Wales from inside the box after the home side's group of full-time players, office workers and students had held out for over an hour. James celebrated in elation with his obvious relief mirrored by the three thousand Welsh supporters packed into most sections of the stadium in the capital.

Moments later, though, James was cautioned and another late caution for his midfield partner resulted in the two players are ruled out for Tuesday’s decisive game with North Macedonia through accumulated bookings.

That Cardiff City Stadium fixture is a clash Wales need to win to overtake North Macedonia and guarantee a better draw in the final round in March.

The Wales manager had an unusual vantage point from the sidelines, Bellamy serving a touchline ban after picking up a second yellow card in the qualifiers previously.

The manager's deputy his assistant assumed duties in the coaching zone and four of Wales’s starters – Jordan James, Ethan Ampadu, Rodon, Williams – were a booking away from being absent for the last group game. Both James and Ampadu received cautions in incidents that might hamper their team.

Their opponents, situated near the bottom in global rankings, had been goalless in their six qualifying defeats and conceded 23 times at an average of around four per fixture.

The visitors predictably had most of the play as their hosts adopted a low defensive block and got bodies behind the ball.

Their opponent's target saw little action until Nathan Broadhead high press caused a mistake and Jordan James saw his shot from the edge of the box pushed aside by the goalkeeper.

That pairing crafted an opportunity, Jordan locating Broadhead now with a accurate delivery behind the defence.

Broadhead’s superb first touch beat the keeper but the attacker was unable to score from a tight angle.

The Welsh team believed they'd scored the opener after 26 minutes when Jordan James directed a deep Sorba Thomas corner back into a crowded goal area.

The Liechtenstein keeper was flustered by Lawlor and Joe Rodon, and his weak punch landed with Broadhead who finished powerfully. But Welsh celebrations were halted when the referee was directed to the video review system and ruled that at least one of the Wales defenders was in an illegal position from Jordan's header.

Wales stepped up a gear after the break and Thomas delivered a ball to the far post which James hit the woodwork.

Williams then headed wide from inside the penalty box as it appeared like a difficult match for the Welsh side.

But, with the contest having reached its 61st minute, Williams executed a intelligent through ball for his teammate to run past the opposition backline.

Daniel James bypassed the goalkeeper with a superb pass along the six-yard box, and his teammate Jordan had the easy task of easing Wales' tension.