Jordan James scores Wales to vital World Cup victory versus Liechtenstein.

Wales earned a tight 1-0 win against less-fancied opponents Liechtenstein to maintain their hopes of World Cup finals progress.

The young midfielder scored his first international strike for Wales from inside the box after Liechtenstein’s assorted collection of professionals, amateurs and part-timers had defended for over an hour. The scorer wheeled away in elation with his visible excitement mirrored by the 3,000 Wales fans filling most sections of the stadium in Vaduz.

Moments later, yet, James was cautioned and another late caution for his midfield partner ensured the pair are unavailable for Tuesday’s crunch tie with their next opponents due to accumulated bookings.

That Wales' ground match is a game the Welsh team have to secure victory in to move above North Macedonia and obtain a improved draw in the playoffs in next spring.

The Wales manager had an different vantage point from the dugout, the head coach completing a touchline ban after receiving a second yellow card in the qualifiers previously.

Bellamy’s number two Piet Cremers assumed duties in the technical area and multiple first-teamers – Jordan James, Ethan Ampadu, Rodon, Neco Williams – were at risk of suspension from missing the last group game. A pair were booked in situations that might hamper their team.

Liechtenstein, placed among the lowest-ranked in world football, had not scored in their six qualifying defeats and allowed 23 goals at an rate of around four per fixture.

Wales as expected dominated possession as Liechtenstein employed a low defensive block and defended in numbers.

The home goal was rarely tested until the forward's chasing down forced an error and Jordan James saw his shot from the 18-yard line saved by Benjamin Büchel.

That pairing created another chance, James locating his teammate on this occasion with a accurate ball over the top.

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

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

Büchel was harassed by Dylan Lawlor and Joe Rodon, and his poor clearance landed with Broadhead who scored decisively. But Wales' elation were curtailed when the match official was instructed to the VAR screen and decided that one or more of the Wales centre-halves was in an offside position from Jordan's header.

Wales stepped up a gear after the break and Sorba Thomas sent in a centering pass to the far post which the winger rattled against the frame of the goal.

Neco Williams then headed wide from within the six-yard box as it appeared like a frustrating evening for the Welsh side.

However, with the match having ticked into its final half-hour, Williams executed a clever through ball for Daniel James to break behind the home defence.

James beat the goalkeeper with a superb ball along the six-yard box, and his teammate Jordan James had the straightforward job of relieving Wales' anxiety.