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Wales earned a tight 1-0 victory over international minnows Liechtenstein to keep alive their aspirations of World Cup qualifying.

The young midfielder notched his first international strike for the national team from close range after Liechtenstein’s assorted collection of professionals, office workers and part-timers had held out for more than 60 minutes. James celebrated in delight with his visible excitement shared by the 3,000 Welsh fans occupying most sections of the Rheinpark Stadion in Vaduz.

Shortly after, yet, Jordan James was shown a yellow card and a further late caution for his midfield partner resulted in the pair are suspended for Tuesday’s crunch tie with North Macedonia through accumulated bookings.

The home venue match is a game Wales must win to overtake their rivals and obtain a improved position in the qualifying playoffs in March.

The Wales manager had an different view from the stands, the head coach undertaking a technical area prohibition after receiving a second yellow card in the qualifiers last month.

Bellamy’s number two Cremers took his place in the dugout and multiple first-teamers – James, Ethan Ampadu, Joe Rodon, Williams – were a booking away from being absent for the concluding match. Both James and Ampadu came unstuck in incidents that may damage their team.

Liechtenstein, ranked near the bottom in international football, had not scored in their six qualifying defeats and conceded twenty-three times at an rate of around four per fixture.

Wales as expected controlled the ball as Liechtenstein lay in a low defensive block and defended in numbers.

Their opponent's target was rarely tested until Nathan Broadhead pressing forced an error and James saw his attempt from the 18-yard line saved by Büchel.

A similar move worked the next opening, James locating Broadhead this time with a accurate pass behind the defence.

Broadhead’s fine touch evaded Büchel but the forward failed to finish from a tight angle.

Wales felt they taken the lead after 26 minutes when James headed a lofted Sorba Thomas corner back into a crowded penalty box.

Büchel was harassed by Lawlor and Joe Rodon, and his poor clearance reached Nathan Broadhead who drove home emphatically. But Wales' elation were halted when the match official was directed to the pitchside monitor and ruled that a player of the Wales central defenders was in an offside from James’s initial touch.

The visitors increased the pressure after the interval and Thomas delivered a centering pass to the far post which Daniel James hit the frame of the goal.

Neco Williams then missed with a header from within the goal area as it started to seem like a frustrating evening for the Welsh side.

But, with the match having entered its final half-hour, Neco Williams played a intelligent pass for his teammate to get in behind the Liechtenstein defenders.

James beat Büchel with a delightful ball into the danger area, and his namesake Jordan James had the simple opportunity of relieving Wales' nerves.