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The Welsh side earned a tight 1-0 success against underdogs Liechtenstein to sustain their hopes of World Cup finals qualifying.

Jordan James claimed his debut goal for Wales from inside the box after Liechtenstein’s assorted collection of professionals, office workers and part-timers had held out for more than 60 minutes. James wheeled away in delight with his obvious relief mirrored by the large contingent of Welsh supporters occupying multiple stands of the venue in Vaduz.

Soon afterwards, however, Jordan James was shown a yellow card and a further yellow for his midfield partner ensured the two players are ruled out for the upcoming crunch tie with North Macedonia through disciplinary issues.

The Cardiff City Stadium contest is a encounter the Welsh team have to secure victory in to overtake their rivals and guarantee a more favourable draw in the final round in next spring.

The Wales manager had an unusual vantage point from the stands, the head coach serving a touchline ban after picking up a second yellow card in the qualifiers last month.

Bellamy’s number two Cremers assumed duties in the coaching zone and several key players – Jordan James, Ethan Ampadu, Rodon, Williams – were one caution from from sitting out the concluding match. Two of them came unstuck in situations that could really hurt Wales.

Liechtenstein, situated 206 out of 210 teams in global rankings, had failed to score in their six qualifying defeats and let in twenty-three times at an average of almost four per game.

Wales predictably had most of the play as their hosts lay in a deep defensive line and defended in numbers.

The home goal was rarely tested until the forward's pressing won possession and James saw his effort from the penalty area parried by Büchel.

A similar move created another chance, Jordan picking out Broadhead this time with a well-weighted ball into space.

The attacker's fine touch beat Büchel but the Wrexham striker could not convert from a difficult angle.

Wales believed they'd taken the lead after the opening period when Jordan James nodded a lofted Thomas corner back into a crowded penalty box.

Büchel was harassed by Lawlor and Rodon, and his feeble attempt fell to Nathan Broadhead who finished powerfully. But Wales' elation were cut short when the referee was directed to the pitchside monitor and decided that at least one of the Wales centre-halves was in an offside from James’s initial touch.

The visitors stepped up a gear after the break and Thomas delivered a centering pass to the far post which Daniel James struck the crossbar.

Williams then missed with a header from inside the penalty box as it began to look like one of those nights for the Welsh side.

But, with the match having entered its second half, Williams executed a shrewd through ball for Daniel James to get in behind the Liechtenstein defenders.

Daniel James cut out the goalkeeper with a delightful pass into the danger area, and his teammate Jordan James had the easy job of easing Wales' anxiety.