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

Wales' James scored his debut goal for the national team from inside the box after the home side's assorted collection of professionals, office workers and students had resisted for over an hour. James wheeled away in joy with his obvious relief mirrored by the large contingent of Wales supporters occupying most sections of the Rheinpark Stadion in the capital.

Shortly after, however, Jordan James was shown a yellow card and a further booking for Ethan Ampadu ensured both midfielders are ruled out for Tuesday’s decisive game with their next opponents through 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 position in the final round in next spring.

Craig Bellamy had an different perspective from the dugout, Bellamy undertaking a technical area prohibition after being shown a additional booking in the competition earlier.

Bellamy’s deputy Piet Cremers assumed duties in the coaching zone and four of Wales’s starters – Jordan James, Ethan Ampadu, Joe Rodon, Williams – were one caution from from sitting out the final qualifier. A pair received cautions in incidents that could really hurt Wales.

Liechtenstein, situated among the lowest-ranked in global rankings, had failed to score in their six qualifying defeats and let in 23 times at an average of almost four per fixture.

The visitors as expected controlled the ball as their hosts lay in a compact shape and got bodies behind the ball.

The home goal was rarely tested until the forward's pressing caused a mistake and Jordan James saw his attempt from the penalty area parried by Büchel.

The same combination worked the next opening, Jordan finding his teammate this time with a precise delivery into space.

Broadhead’s superb control evaded the keeper but the Wrexham striker could not convert from a tight angle.

Wales felt they taken the lead after the first half when James nodded a lofted Sorba Thomas set-piece back into a crowded penalty box.

The Liechtenstein keeper was flustered by Dylan Lawlor and Joe Rodon, and his weak punch fell to Nathan Broadhead who drove home emphatically. But Wales' elation were halted when the official was instructed to the video review system and determined that a player 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 delivered a centering pass to the far post which Daniel James hit the frame of the goal.

Neco Williams then missed with a header from inside the six-yard box as it started to seem like a frustrating evening for the Welsh side.

However, with the contest having reached its 61st minute, Neco Williams delivered a clever pass for Daniel James to get in behind the Liechtenstein defenders.

James bypassed Büchel with a superb cross across the face of goal, and his namesake Jordan James had the easy opportunity of relieving Welsh tension.