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Wales earned a tight 1-0 victory over less-fancied opponents Liechtenstein to sustain their chances of World Cup finals qualification.

The young midfielder notched his maiden international strike for Wales from inside the box after Liechtenstein’s assorted collection of professionals, office workers and part-timers had held out for over an hour. The scorer celebrated in elation with his obvious relief shared by the large contingent of Welsh followers filling multiple stands of the venue in Vaduz.

Soon afterwards, however, Jordan James was booked and a further late caution for Ethan Ampadu means both midfielders are unavailable for Tuesday’s crucial match with their next opponents through disciplinary issues.

That Cardiff City Stadium contest is a game Wales must win to overtake their rivals and obtain a improved draw in the playoffs in March.

Bellamy had an different vantage point from the dugout, the Wales manager completing a touchline ban after picking up a further caution in the tournament last month.

The manager's assistant his assistant stood in in the technical area and several key players – James, Ampadu, Joe Rodon, Neco Williams – were one caution from from missing the concluding match. A pair received cautions in incidents that could really hurt their team.

Liechtenstein, situated 206 out of 210 teams in international football, had not scored in their six qualifying defeats and let in 23 times at an average of around four per fixture.

Wales as expected controlled the ball as their hosts employed a compact shape and got bodies behind the ball.

The home goal saw little action until Broadhead pressing caused a mistake and James saw his attempt from the edge of the box saved by the goalkeeper.

A similar move created another chance, James picking out Broadhead now with a accurate pass into space.

The attacker's excellent control beat Büchel but the attacker was unable to score from a tight angle.

The Welsh team felt they scored the opener after the opening period when James headed a deep Thomas corner back into a packed goal area.

The Liechtenstein keeper was harassed by Dylan Lawlor and Rodon, and his weak punch landed with Nathan Broadhead who finished powerfully. But Welsh elation were curtailed when the official was sent to the VAR screen and ruled that at least one of the Wales central defenders was in an illegal position from Jordan's initial touch.

Wales raised the tempo after the half-time and Sorba Thomas delivered a cross to the opposite side which the winger struck the crossbar.

Neco Williams then missed with a header from within the goal area as it appeared like one of those nights for Wales.

Yet, with the game having reached its final half-hour, Neco Williams executed a intelligent assist for his teammate to run past the Liechtenstein defenders.

James beat Büchel with a delightful pass into the danger area, and his namesake Jordan James had the straightforward task of easing Welsh anxiety.