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Wales claimed a hard-fought 1-0 victory over underdogs Liechtenstein to maintain their aspirations of World Cup finals qualifying.

Wales' James claimed his maiden goal for the national team from close range after Liechtenstein’s assorted collection of full-time players, amateurs and students had held out for the majority of the match. James ran off in elation with his obvious relief shared by the large contingent of Welsh fans packed into three sides of the stadium in the capital.

Soon afterwards, though, James was booked and another late caution for his midfield partner resulted in both midfielders are unavailable for the upcoming crucial match with their next opponents through disciplinary issues.

That Cardiff City Stadium fixture is a clash the Welsh team have to secure victory in to leapfrog their rivals and secure a more favourable seeding in the final round in next spring.

Bellamy had an unfamiliar view from the sidelines, the head coach completing a sideline suspension after receiving a further caution in the qualifiers earlier.

Bellamy’s number two his assistant assumed duties in the technical area and several key players – James, Ampadu, Rodon, Williams – were a booking away from sitting out the concluding match. A pair were booked in incidents that could really hurt their team.

The home side, ranked among the lowest-ranked in world football, had not scored in their six qualifying defeats and conceded 23 goals at an average of almost four per fixture.

Wales unsurprisingly had most of the play as their hosts employed a low defensive block and packed their defence.

Liechtenstein's net remained unthreatened until Nathan Broadhead high press won possession and Jordan James saw his effort from the 18-yard line pushed aside by the goalkeeper.

A similar move crafted an opportunity, Jordan finding Broadhead now with a well-weighted delivery over the top.

Broadhead’s excellent first touch evaded Büchel but the attacker could not convert from a tight angle.

Wales believed they'd broken the deadlock after the first half when Jordan James nodded a lofted Thomas set-piece back into a congested goal area.

The Liechtenstein keeper was flustered by Dylan Lawlor and Rodon, and his feeble attempt reached Nathan Broadhead who finished powerfully. But Welsh elation were halted when the referee was directed to the VAR screen and decided that a player of the Welsh defenders was in an illegal position from Jordan's initial touch.

The visitors raised the tempo after the break and Sorba Thomas sent in a cross to the opposite side which James rattled against the woodwork.

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

But, with the contest having reached its 61st minute, Neco Williams played a shrewd through ball for Daniel James to run past the Liechtenstein defenders.

Daniel James bypassed Büchel with a excellent cross across the face of goal, and his namesake Jordan James had the simple opportunity of ending Wales' anxiety.