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Wales earned a narrow 1-0 success over less-fancied opponents Liechtenstein to sustain their aspirations of World Cup finals progress.

Wales' James claimed his maiden goal for Wales from near the goal after the home side's group of full-time players, office workers and students had resisted for over an hour. James ran off in elation with his obvious relief mirrored by the three thousand Welsh fans occupying multiple stands of the stadium in Vaduz.

Soon afterwards, yet, James was booked and another late caution for Ethan Ampadu means the pair are suspended for the upcoming decisive game with North Macedonia through disciplinary issues.

That Cardiff City Stadium fixture is a clash Wales have to secure victory in to overtake their rivals and guarantee a more favourable position in the playoffs in next spring.

Bellamy had an different view from the sidelines, the Wales manager serving a touchline ban after picking up a further caution in the tournament last month.

The manager's number two his assistant took his place in the technical area and multiple first-teamers – Jordan James, Ampadu, Rodon, Neco Williams – were one caution from from sitting out the concluding match. Two of them were booked in incidents that could really hurt Wales.

The home side, situated near the bottom in global rankings, had failed to score in their six qualifying defeats and conceded twenty-three times at an average of around four per match.

The visitors predictably dominated possession as Liechtenstein adopted a low defensive block and packed their defence.

Their opponent's target was rarely tested until the forward's chasing down forced an error and Jordan James saw his effort from the edge of the box pushed aside by the goalkeeper.

The same combination worked the next opening, James locating his teammate on this occasion with a precise ball into space.

Broadhead’s superb first touch beat the keeper but the forward could not convert from a narrow position.

Wales felt they scored the opener after the opening period when Jordan James directed a lofted Thomas set-piece back into a crowded goal area.

Büchel was harassed by Dylan Lawlor and Rodon, and his feeble attempt reached Broadhead who finished powerfully. But Welsh celebrations were halted when the referee was directed to the video review system and ruled that at least one of the Welsh defenders was in an offside from James’s header.

The visitors stepped up a gear after the interval and Thomas sent in a cross to the far post which the winger struck the frame of the goal.

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

Yet, with the contest having reached its final half-hour, Neco Williams delivered a clever pass for his teammate to break behind the opposition backline.

Daniel James beat Büchel with a excellent cross across the face of goal, and his namesake Jordan had the easy task of easing Wales' anxiety.