Jordan James nets the Welsh team to important World Cup triumph versus the Liechtenstein national team.

Wales earned a hard-fought 1-0 win over less-fancied opponents Liechtenstein to keep alive their chances of World Cup finals qualification.

Jordan James scored his maiden goal for Wales from inside the box after the home side's assorted collection of professionals, amateurs and part-timers had defended for the majority of the match. James wheeled away in joy with his clear emotion shared by the large contingent of Wales fans filling multiple stands of the Rheinpark Stadion in the capital.

Shortly after, though, James was cautioned and another yellow for his midfield partner means the pair are suspended for Tuesday’s decisive game with their next opponents through suspension.

That home venue match is a game Wales must win to overtake their rivals and secure a improved position in the qualifying playoffs in March.

Craig Bellamy had an unusual perspective from the stands, the Wales manager serving a sideline suspension after being shown a further caution in the qualifiers previously.

Bellamy’s number two Cremers stood in in the technical area and multiple first-teamers – James, Ampadu, Rodon, Williams – were one caution from from missing the concluding match. A pair came unstuck in moments that might hamper their team.

Liechtenstein, placed among the lowest-ranked in international football, had not scored 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 compact shape and packed their defence.

The home goal saw little action until the forward's high press forced an error and James saw his effort from the penalty area parried by Büchel.

The same combination crafted an opportunity, Jordan finding his teammate this time with a well-weighted delivery into space.

The attacker's fine control evaded the keeper but the forward was unable to score from a tight angle.

Wales believed they'd scored the opener after 26 minutes when Jordan James nodded a deep Sorba Thomas set-piece back into a congested goal area.

Büchel was under pressure by Dylan Lawlor and Rodon, and his poor clearance landed with Nathan Broadhead who scored decisively. But Wales' celebrations were halted when the referee was sent to the VAR screen and determined that a player of the Welsh defenders was in an illegal position from James’s initial touch.

Wales increased the pressure after the half-time and Thomas sent in a cross to the back post which Daniel James hit the woodwork.

Williams then directed his header off target from inside the goal area as it appeared like a frustrating evening for the Welsh side.

Yet, with the contest having entered its final half-hour, Williams played a shrewd through ball for Daniel James to run past the home defence.

Daniel James beat the goalkeeper with a excellent cross across the face of goal, and his teammate Jordan James had the straightforward job of easing Welsh anxiety.