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Wales earned a tight 1-0 win against underdogs Liechtenstein to keep alive their hopes of World Cup qualification.

The young midfielder notched his maiden goal for Wales from inside the box after Liechtenstein’s assorted collection of full-time players, office workers and part-timers had held out for more than 60 minutes. The scorer wheeled away in delight with his clear emotion shared by the large contingent of Wales supporters filling most sections of the venue in the capital.

Shortly after, though, James was cautioned and a further yellow for his midfield partner means both midfielders are suspended for the upcoming decisive game with North Macedonia through disciplinary issues.

That Wales' ground contest is a game the Welsh team have to secure victory in to move above their rivals and obtain a improved position in the final round in next spring.

The Wales manager had an different view from the sidelines, the head coach serving a technical area prohibition after being shown a second yellow card in the qualifiers earlier.

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, Neco Williams – were at risk of suspension from being absent for the last group game. Two of them received cautions in moments that may damage their team.

Liechtenstein, placed among the lowest-ranked in global rankings, had failed to score in their six qualifying defeats and conceded 23 goals at an rate of almost four per match.

The visitors as expected controlled the ball as their hosts employed a low defensive block and packed their defence.

Liechtenstein's net remained unthreatened until Nathan Broadhead chasing down forced an error and James saw his shot from the 18-yard line parried by the goalkeeper.

A similar move worked the next opening, Jordan picking out Broadhead on this occasion with a well-weighted ball over the top.

Broadhead’s superb control took him past Büchel but the forward was unable to score from a difficult angle.

The Welsh team believed they'd broken the deadlock after 26 minutes when Jordan James headed a lofted Thomas corner back into a crowded six-yard box.

The Liechtenstein keeper was harassed by Lawlor and Joe Rodon, and his feeble attempt landed with Nathan Broadhead who scored decisively. But Wales' elation were halted when the official was instructed to the VAR screen and ruled that at least one of the Welsh defenders was in an illegal position from James’s initial touch.

The visitors raised the tempo after the interval and Sorba Thomas sent in a centering pass to the opposite side which the winger struck the crossbar.

Neco Williams then missed with a header from inside the penalty box as it started to seem like a difficult match for the Welsh side.

But, with the match having reached its final half-hour, Williams played a intelligent pass for Daniel James to get in behind the home defence.

Daniel James bypassed the goalkeeper with a delightful ball along the six-yard box, and his teammate Jordan had the easy job of relieving Wales' nerves.