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Wales secured a tight 1-0 victory against underdogs Liechtenstein to sustain their aspirations of World Cup finals qualification.

The young midfielder scored his first goal for the national team from near the goal after Liechtenstein’s mix of full-time players, office workers and part-timers had held out for the majority of the match. The scorer celebrated in delight with his obvious relief shared by the large contingent of Wales supporters occupying most sections of the stadium in Vaduz.

Shortly after, though, James was shown a yellow card and a further booking for Ethan Ampadu ensured both midfielders are ruled out for the upcoming crunch tie with their next opponents through accumulated bookings.

That Cardiff City Stadium fixture is a game Wales need to win to move above their rivals and guarantee a improved position in the playoffs in March.

The Wales manager had an unfamiliar view from the dugout, Bellamy undertaking a technical area prohibition after being shown a further caution in the qualifiers previously.

The manager's number two Cremers took his place in the technical area and four of Wales’s starters – Jordan James, Ethan Ampadu, Joe Rodon, Williams – were at risk of suspension from sitting out the last group game. A pair received cautions in moments that may damage their team.

The home side, situated 206 out of 210 teams in international football, had been goalless in their winless run and allowed 23 times at an average of almost four per game.

The visitors predictably controlled the ball as Liechtenstein employed a deep defensive line and defended in numbers.

The home goal saw little action until Broadhead chasing down won possession and James saw his effort from the edge of the box saved by Büchel.

A similar move created another chance, James finding Broadhead this time with a well-weighted pass into space.

Broadhead’s superb first touch beat Büchel but the forward failed to finish from a difficult angle.

The Welsh team thought they had broken the deadlock after the first half when Jordan James headed a high Thomas corner back into a congested penalty box.

Büchel was flustered by Lawlor and Joe Rodon, and his feeble attempt landed with Broadhead who drove home emphatically. But Welsh elation were curtailed when the referee was sent to the pitchside monitor and ruled that a player of the Wales defenders was in an illegal position from James’s initial touch.

The visitors stepped up a gear after the break and Thomas provided a cross to the opposite side which Daniel James rattled against the crossbar.

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

But, with the contest having entered its second half, Neco Williams delivered a clever pass for Daniel James to break behind the Liechtenstein defenders.

Daniel James bypassed Büchel with a delightful cross across the face of goal, and his teammate Jordan had the simple task of relieving Wales' anxiety.