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The Welsh side claimed a tight 1-0 win against less-fancied opponents Liechtenstein to maintain their hopes of World Cup progress.

The young midfielder claimed his maiden goal for the national team from close range after the home side's group of full-time players, amateurs and part-timers had resisted for more than 60 minutes. The scorer ran off in elation with his visible excitement echoed by the 3,000 Wales supporters filling most sections of the Rheinpark Stadion in Vaduz.

Moments later, however, James was cautioned and another late caution for his midfield partner ensured the two players are suspended for Tuesday’s crunch tie with North Macedonia due to accumulated bookings.

That home venue match is a encounter the Welsh team need to win to move above their rivals and secure a improved draw in the qualifying playoffs in March.

Craig Bellamy had an unusual perspective from the stands, the Wales manager serving a sideline suspension after picking up a further caution in the tournament last month.

The manager's number two Piet Cremers took his place in the dugout and several key players – Jordan James, Ampadu, Joe Rodon, Neco Williams – were one caution from from missing the last group game. Both James and Ampadu received cautions in situations that may damage their team.

Their opponents, placed among the lowest-ranked in world football, had been goalless in their winless run and conceded 23 goals at an rate of almost four per game.

Wales predictably had most of the play as Liechtenstein adopted a compact shape and defended in numbers.

The home goal saw little action until Broadhead high press caused a mistake and James saw his effort from the penalty area pushed aside by Benjamin Büchel.

That pairing crafted an opportunity, Jordan picking out his teammate on this occasion with a precise ball behind the defence.

The attacker's fine control evaded the keeper but the forward failed to finish from a tight angle.

The Welsh team felt they taken the lead after the opening period when Jordan James headed a high Thomas set-piece back into a crowded penalty box.

Büchel was under pressure by Dylan Lawlor and Joe Rodon, and his weak punch reached Nathan Broadhead who scored decisively. But Wales' joy were curtailed when the official was sent to the video review system and ruled that at least one of the Wales defenders was in an illegal position from James’s initial touch.

The visitors raised the tempo after the break and Sorba Thomas delivered a cross to the far post which Daniel James hit the woodwork.

Neco Williams then headed wide from within the six-yard box as it started to seem like a difficult match for the Welsh side.

Yet, with the match having entered its 61st minute, Williams executed a clever pass for Daniel James to get in behind the opposition backline.

Daniel James cut out Büchel with a superb cross into the danger area, and his teammate Jordan James had the simple opportunity of ending Welsh nerves.