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The Welsh side claimed a hard-fought 1-0 success against international minnows Liechtenstein to sustain their aspirations of World Cup finals qualifying.

The young midfielder notched his maiden goal for the national team from near the goal after Liechtenstein’s group of professionals, amateurs and part-timers had held out for more than 60 minutes. The scorer wheeled away in joy with his visible excitement shared by the 3,000 Wales supporters packed into multiple stands of the Rheinpark Stadion in Vaduz.

Shortly after, though, James was cautioned and a further booking for his midfield partner ensured the two players are suspended for Tuesday’s crunch tie with their next opponents due to suspension.

The Cardiff City Stadium match is a clash the Welsh team must win to overtake their rivals and secure a more favourable draw in the playoffs in March.

Craig Bellamy had an unusual view from the dugout, the Wales manager completing a touchline ban after receiving a second yellow card in the competition last month.

Bellamy’s deputy Cremers took his place in the dugout and several key players – James, Ethan Ampadu, Joe Rodon, Williams – were a booking away from being absent for the last group game. A pair were booked in incidents that may damage Wales.

The home side, situated near the bottom in world football, had been goalless in their previous six losses and let in twenty-three goals at an rate of nearly four per game.

Wales unsurprisingly had most of the play as Liechtenstein employed a compact shape and got bodies behind the ball.

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

That pairing created another chance, James finding his teammate now with a precise pass behind the defence.

Broadhead’s superb touch evaded the keeper but the attacker could not convert from a narrow position.

The Welsh team believed they'd broken the deadlock after the opening period when James headed a high Thomas set-piece back into a congested goal area.

The Liechtenstein keeper was under pressure by Dylan Lawlor and Joe Rodon, and his poor clearance landed with Nathan Broadhead who scored decisively. But Welsh celebrations were cut short when the match official was directed to the pitchside monitor and determined that one or more of the Welsh centre-halves was in an offside position from James’s initial touch.

Wales stepped up a gear after the interval and Sorba Thomas sent in a centering pass to the far post which the winger hit the woodwork.

Williams then directed his header off target from within the six-yard box as it began to look like one of those nights for the Welsh side.

But, with the game having entered its 61st minute, Neco Williams delivered a clever pass for Daniel James to get in behind the home defence.

Daniel James beat Büchel with a excellent cross into the danger area, and his teammate Jordan had the easy opportunity of ending Welsh anxiety.