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The Welsh side claimed a tight 1-0 victory over underdogs Liechtenstein to keep alive their aspirations of World Cup qualification.

Wales' James notched his debut international strike for Wales from inside the box after the home side's assorted collection of full-time players, office workers and part-timers had held out for the majority of the match. James celebrated in delight with his visible excitement echoed by the three thousand Wales followers occupying multiple stands of the stadium in the capital.

Soon afterwards, yet, James was cautioned and another booking for his midfield partner resulted in the pair are unavailable for Tuesday’s decisive game with their next opponents due to accumulated bookings.

That Cardiff City Stadium contest is a clash Wales have to secure victory in to leapfrog their rivals and secure a more favourable draw in the final round in next spring.

The Wales manager had an unusual vantage point from the dugout, the Wales manager serving a technical area prohibition after receiving a further caution in the tournament earlier.

The manager's assistant his assistant took his place in the technical area and four of Wales’s starters – Jordan James, Ampadu, Joe Rodon, Williams – were a booking away from being absent for the last group game. A pair came unstuck in situations that might hamper Wales.

The home side, ranked near the bottom in world football, had been goalless in their winless run and allowed 23 times at an rate of almost four per match.

The visitors as expected had most of the play as Liechtenstein employed a deep defensive line and got bodies behind the ball.

The home goal saw little action until the forward's chasing down forced an error and Jordan James saw his effort from the edge of the box parried by the goalkeeper.

A similar move crafted an opportunity, James picking out his teammate on this occasion with a accurate pass into space.

Broadhead’s excellent first touch beat the keeper but the Wrexham striker was unable to score from a narrow position.

Wales thought they had taken the lead after the opening period when Jordan James nodded a high Thomas corner back into a congested goal area.

The Liechtenstein keeper was harassed by Dylan Lawlor and Joe Rodon, and his weak punch fell to Nathan Broadhead who finished powerfully. But Welsh joy were halted when the official was instructed to the video review system and ruled that one or more of the Wales central defenders was in an illegal position from James’s initial touch.

The visitors increased the pressure after the break and Sorba Thomas delivered a centering pass to the opposite side which the winger rattled against the frame of the goal.

Neco Williams then headed wide from within the six-yard box as it started to seem like a frustrating evening for Wales.

Yet, with the game having ticked into its final half-hour, Neco Williams played a clever through ball for his teammate to run past the home defence.

James cut out Büchel with a superb cross into the danger area, and his teammate Jordan had the simple task of ending Welsh anxiety.