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Wales secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over international minnows Liechtenstein to keep alive their hopes of World Cup finals progress.

The young midfielder claimed his first goal for Wales from close range after the home side's mix of full-time players, office workers and students had defended for more than 60 minutes. The scorer ran off in joy with his clear emotion echoed by the large contingent of Wales fans occupying three sides of the venue in the capital.

Shortly after, yet, Jordan James was booked and another yellow for his midfield partner means both midfielders are suspended for the upcoming crunch tie with North Macedonia through suspension.

That Wales' ground contest is a game the Welsh team must win to move above North Macedonia and secure a better position in the playoffs in March.

Craig Bellamy had an different view from the sidelines, the head coach undertaking a sideline suspension after picking up a second yellow card in the tournament earlier.

Bellamy’s assistant Cremers stood in in the dugout and several key players – James, Ampadu, Joe Rodon, Williams – were a booking away from sitting out the final qualifier. A pair came unstuck in situations that could really hurt Wales.

Their opponents, situated near the bottom in world football, had been goalless in their previous six losses and let in 23 times at an average of almost four per match.

The visitors unsurprisingly controlled the ball as Liechtenstein adopted a low defensive block and packed their defence.

The home goal was rarely tested until Broadhead high press caused a mistake and Jordan James saw his effort from the 18-yard line parried by the goalkeeper.

The same combination crafted an opportunity, Jordan finding his teammate now with a accurate ball behind the defence.

Broadhead’s superb control took him past Büchel but the forward failed to finish from a narrow position.

Wales thought they had taken the lead after 26 minutes when James directed a high Sorba Thomas set-piece back into a crowded six-yard box.

Büchel was flustered by Dylan Lawlor and Joe Rodon, and his weak punch fell to Nathan Broadhead who scored decisively. But Welsh elation were halted when the match official was directed to the video review system and decided that one or more of the Wales defenders was in an illegal position from James’s header.

The visitors stepped up a gear after the break and Thomas delivered a centering pass to the far post which Daniel James hit the crossbar.

Williams then directed his header off target from inside the six-yard box as it appeared like a difficult match for Wales.

But, with the contest having ticked into its 61st minute, Neco Williams delivered a intelligent assist for Daniel James to break behind the home defence.

James cut out the goalkeeper with a delightful cross across the face of goal, and his teammate Jordan James had the easy opportunity of relieving Wales' anxiety.