Jordan James scores Wales to crucial World Cup qualifying triumph over the Liechtenstein national team.

The Welsh side secured a tight 1-0 victory against underdogs Liechtenstein to sustain their chances of World Cup qualifying.

The young midfielder notched his maiden goal for Wales from close range after Liechtenstein’s assorted collection of full-time players, office workers and students had resisted for the majority of the match. James ran off in delight with his visible excitement echoed by the large contingent of Wales followers packed into most sections of the Rheinpark Stadion in the capital.

Moments later, though, Jordan James was shown a yellow card and a further yellow for Ethan Ampadu ensured the two players are unavailable for Tuesday’s crunch tie with North Macedonia through disciplinary issues.

The home venue match is a game the Welsh team must win to move above North Macedonia and secure a more favourable draw in the final round in March.

Craig Bellamy had an different perspective from the dugout, Bellamy completing a sideline suspension after picking up a second yellow card in the qualifiers earlier.

The manager's number two Piet Cremers took his place in the technical area and four of Wales’s starters – James, Ampadu, Joe Rodon, Williams – were at risk of suspension from sitting out the last group game. Two of them received cautions in situations that may damage Wales.

Liechtenstein, placed among the lowest-ranked in international football, had failed to score in their previous six losses and allowed twenty-three goals at an average of nearly four per fixture.

The visitors unsurprisingly dominated possession as their hosts lay in a low defensive block and got bodies behind the ball.

Liechtenstein's net was rarely tested until Broadhead high press caused a mistake and James saw his attempt from the penalty area pushed aside by Benjamin Büchel.

The same combination created another chance, Jordan picking out his teammate this time with a well-weighted delivery over the top.

The attacker's excellent control beat Büchel but the forward could not convert from a tight angle.

Wales felt they taken the lead after the first half when James headed a high Sorba Thomas corner back into a congested goal area.

Büchel was harassed by Dylan Lawlor and Joe Rodon, and his feeble attempt landed with Broadhead who scored decisively. But Wales' celebrations were halted when the official was instructed to the pitchside monitor and decided that one or more of the Wales central defenders was in an illegal position from James’s initial touch.

Wales increased the pressure after the break and Thomas provided a cross to the far post which Daniel James rattled against the crossbar.

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

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

James bypassed the goalkeeper with a excellent pass across the face of goal, and his teammate Jordan James had the simple task of relieving Wales' tension.