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The Welsh side claimed a narrow 1-0 success over less-fancied opponents Liechtenstein to keep alive their aspirations of World Cup qualifying.

Wales' James claimed his first goal for Wales from near the goal after Liechtenstein’s mix of professionals, amateurs and students had defended for the majority of the match. James ran off in elation with his obvious relief shared by the three thousand Wales supporters occupying three sides of the Rheinpark Stadion in the capital.

Moments later, though, Jordan James was booked and a further late caution for his midfield partner ensured the pair are suspended for Tuesday’s crunch tie with their next opponents due to disciplinary issues.

The Cardiff City Stadium match is a clash Wales need to win to leapfrog North Macedonia and guarantee a more favourable position in the final round in next spring.

The Wales manager had an unusual perspective from the stands, Bellamy serving a technical area prohibition after picking up a further caution in the tournament previously.

Bellamy’s number two his assistant took his place in the technical area and several key players – James, Ethan Ampadu, Joe Rodon, Williams – were a booking away from being absent for the final qualifier. A pair were booked in incidents that may damage their team.

Their opponents, ranked 206 out of 210 teams in global rankings, had been goalless in their six qualifying defeats and conceded 23 times at an rate of nearly four per game.

The visitors as expected had most of the play as Liechtenstein lay in a low defensive block and got bodies behind the ball.

Their opponent's target was rarely tested until Broadhead pressing caused a mistake and Jordan James saw his shot from the edge of the box parried by Büchel.

A similar move worked the next opening, Jordan finding his teammate now with a accurate delivery behind the defence.

Broadhead’s superb control evaded Büchel but the forward failed to finish from a difficult angle.

The Welsh team thought they had scored the opener after 26 minutes when Jordan James headed a lofted Thomas set-piece back into a packed six-yard box.

Büchel was flustered by Dylan Lawlor and Joe Rodon, and his weak punch fell to Nathan Broadhead who drove home emphatically. But Welsh elation were halted when the official was sent to the video review system and decided that at least one of the Wales central defenders was in an illegal position from Jordan's initial touch.

The visitors increased the pressure after the interval and Thomas sent in a cross to the far post which the winger hit the woodwork.

Neco Williams then headed wide from inside the six-yard box as it began to look like one of those nights for Wales.

But, with the match having reached its final half-hour, Williams executed a intelligent assist for Daniel James to break behind the opposition backline.

James cut out Büchel with a superb ball across the face of goal, and his namesake Jordan had the simple task of relieving Wales' tension.