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Wales secured a narrow 1-0 win over international minnows Liechtenstein to sustain their aspirations of World Cup progress.

Jordan James scored his debut goal for Wales from inside the box after the home side's mix of professionals, amateurs and students had held out for the majority of the match. The scorer celebrated in delight with his clear emotion mirrored by the three thousand Welsh supporters packed into most sections of the venue in the capital.

Moments later, though, James was cautioned and a further late caution for his midfield partner ensured the two players are ruled out for Tuesday’s crunch tie with North Macedonia through suspension.

That Wales' ground match is a game the Welsh team need to win to overtake North Macedonia and guarantee a better position in the qualifying playoffs in March.

The Wales manager had an unusual vantage point from the stands, the head coach completing a sideline suspension after being shown a second yellow card in the qualifiers last month.

The manager's assistant Cremers assumed duties in the technical area and four of Wales’s starters – Jordan James, Ethan Ampadu, Joe Rodon, Williams – were a booking away from missing the last group game. A pair received cautions in situations that might hamper Wales.

The home side, ranked among the lowest-ranked in international football, had failed to score in their previous six losses and allowed 23 goals at an rate of almost four per game.

Wales predictably controlled the ball as their hosts adopted a deep defensive line and packed their defence.

Liechtenstein's net was rarely tested until Broadhead high press caused a mistake and James saw his attempt from the penalty area parried by Benjamin Büchel.

That pairing worked the next opening, Jordan locating Broadhead on this occasion with a accurate pass into space.

The attacker's superb control took him past the keeper but the attacker could not convert from a difficult angle.

Wales believed they'd taken the lead after the first half when Jordan James nodded a deep Sorba Thomas corner back into a crowded penalty box.

Büchel was flustered by Lawlor and Joe Rodon, and his feeble attempt fell to Nathan Broadhead who drove home emphatically. But Welsh celebrations were halted when the official was instructed to the pitchside monitor and ruled that a player of the Welsh defenders was in an offside position from James’s header.

The visitors stepped up a gear after the interval and Sorba Thomas provided a cross to the far post which Daniel James struck the frame of the goal.

Williams then missed with a header from inside the goal area as it began to look like a difficult match for Wales.

But, with the game having entered its second half, Williams delivered a intelligent through ball for Daniel James to break behind the home defence.

Daniel James cut out the goalkeeper with a delightful pass into the danger area, and his namesake Jordan James had the easy job of relieving Welsh tension.