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

Jordan James notched his maiden goal for Wales from close range after the home side's mix of professionals, office workers and students had resisted for the majority of the match. James celebrated in delight with his visible excitement mirrored by the three thousand Wales followers packed into three sides of the venue in the capital.

Shortly after, though, James was shown a yellow card and a further yellow for Ethan Ampadu ensured the pair are unavailable for Tuesday’s crunch tie with their next opponents due to disciplinary issues.

The Cardiff City Stadium fixture is a game the Welsh team need to win to leapfrog their rivals and obtain a improved seeding in the final round in March.

Bellamy had an different vantage point from the dugout, the Wales manager completing a sideline suspension after being shown a second yellow card in the qualifiers previously.

The manager's assistant his assistant took his place in the technical area and multiple first-teamers – Jordan James, Ampadu, Joe Rodon, Neco Williams – were a booking away from being absent for the concluding match. A pair received cautions in situations that could really hurt Wales.

The home side, ranked near the bottom in world football, had failed to score in their six qualifying defeats and allowed 23 times at an rate of almost four per match.

Wales as expected dominated possession as their hosts employed a deep defensive line and got bodies behind the ball.

Liechtenstein's net was rarely tested until Nathan Broadhead high press caused a mistake and James saw his shot from the penalty area parried by the goalkeeper.

The same combination worked the next opening, Jordan picking out Broadhead on this occasion with a accurate delivery into space.

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

The Welsh team believed they'd taken the lead after the first half when Jordan James nodded a lofted Sorba Thomas set-piece back into a congested goal area.

Büchel was under pressure by Dylan Lawlor and Rodon, and his poor clearance fell to Broadhead who scored decisively. But Welsh elation were halted when the referee was directed to the VAR screen and decided that a player of the Welsh central defenders was in an offside from Jordan's header.

The visitors stepped up a gear after the half-time and Thomas provided a ball to the back post which Daniel James struck the woodwork.

Neco Williams then headed wide from within the penalty box as it began to look like one of those nights for Wales.

But, with the game having ticked into its second half, Williams played a shrewd pass for Daniel James to get in behind the home defence.

Daniel James cut out Büchel with a delightful cross into the danger area, and his namesake Jordan had the easy opportunity of easing Wales' anxiety.