Jordan James fires the Welsh team to vital World Cup triumph over Liechtenstein.

Wales earned a tight 1-0 victory over international minnows Liechtenstein to sustain their chances of World Cup qualifying.

Jordan James scored his first international strike for Wales from inside the box after Liechtenstein’s mix of full-time players, amateurs and part-timers had defended for over an hour. James celebrated in delight with his obvious relief mirrored by the 3,000 Wales supporters occupying most sections of the Rheinpark Stadion in Vaduz.

Soon afterwards, however, Jordan James was cautioned and another booking for his midfield partner means the two players are suspended for the upcoming decisive game with North Macedonia through disciplinary issues.

That Wales' ground match is a game Wales have to secure victory in to leapfrog North Macedonia and guarantee a better position in the final round in next spring.

Bellamy had an unusual vantage point from the sidelines, the head coach completing a sideline suspension after picking up a second yellow card in the tournament previously.

Bellamy’s number two his assistant assumed duties in the dugout and several key players – James, Ethan Ampadu, Rodon, Neco Williams – were a booking away from being absent for the final qualifier. Two of them received cautions in moments that may damage Wales.

Liechtenstein, situated among the lowest-ranked in international football, had not scored in their six qualifying defeats and let in twenty-three goals at an rate of almost four per fixture.

Wales as expected had most of the play as their hosts adopted a deep defensive line and got bodies behind the ball.

Their opponent's target was rarely tested until Broadhead pressing forced an error and James saw his effort from the penalty area pushed aside by Benjamin Büchel.

That pairing crafted an opportunity, James finding Broadhead now with a precise ball into space.

Broadhead’s excellent touch evaded Büchel but the Wrexham striker failed to finish from a difficult angle.

The Welsh team thought they had scored the opener after 26 minutes when James directed a lofted Sorba Thomas set-piece back into a packed six-yard box.

Büchel was flustered by Dylan Lawlor and Rodon, and his poor clearance reached Broadhead who finished powerfully. But Wales' elation were cut short when the match official was sent to the VAR screen and determined that a player of the Wales centre-halves was in an illegal position from Jordan's header.

The visitors increased the pressure after the break and Thomas provided a cross to the back post which James struck the woodwork.

Neco Williams then directed his header off target from within the goal area as it appeared like one of those nights for the Welsh side.

However, with the match having ticked into its 61st minute, Williams delivered a shrewd through ball for Daniel James to run past the Liechtenstein defenders.

James cut out Büchel with a delightful cross into the danger area, and his teammate Jordan had the simple opportunity of easing Welsh anxiety.