The young midfielder James fires the Welsh team to crucial World Cup qualifying win against Liechtenstein.

Wales secured a hard-fought 1-0 success over less-fancied opponents Liechtenstein to maintain their aspirations of World Cup finals qualifying.

The young midfielder notched his debut international strike for Wales from near the goal after Liechtenstein’s assorted collection of professionals, office workers and students had held out for over an hour. James ran off in joy with his visible excitement mirrored by the large contingent of Welsh fans occupying three sides of the Rheinpark Stadion in Vaduz.

Shortly after, however, Jordan James was cautioned and a further yellow for Ethan Ampadu ensured the pair are unavailable for the upcoming crunch tie with North Macedonia due to suspension.

That Cardiff City Stadium contest is a clash the Welsh team have to secure victory in to leapfrog North Macedonia and secure a improved position in the final round in March.

Craig Bellamy had an unusual vantage point from the stands, Bellamy undertaking a touchline ban after being shown a second yellow card in the competition earlier.

The manager's assistant his assistant assumed duties in the coaching zone and four of Wales’s starters – Jordan James, Ampadu, Rodon, Williams – were one caution from from missing the last group game. A pair came unstuck in situations that could really hurt their team.

The home side, ranked 206 out of 210 teams in international football, had failed to score in their winless run and let in 23 times at an rate of around four per fixture.

Wales as expected had most of the play as Liechtenstein adopted a compact shape and defended in numbers.

Liechtenstein's net was rarely tested until Nathan Broadhead chasing down won possession and James saw his attempt from the penalty area saved by Büchel.

That pairing worked the next opening, James picking out Broadhead on this occasion with a well-weighted pass into space.

The attacker's fine touch took him past the keeper but the Wrexham striker failed to finish from a difficult angle.

Wales felt they taken the lead after 26 minutes when James nodded a deep Sorba Thomas corner back into a congested penalty box.

Büchel was flustered by Lawlor and Rodon, and his poor clearance reached Broadhead who scored decisively. But Welsh joy were halted when the official was directed to the pitchside monitor and ruled that one or more of the Wales defenders was in an offside from James’s initial touch.

Wales increased the pressure after the half-time and Thomas sent in a cross to the far post which the winger struck the frame of the goal.

Williams then missed with a header from within the penalty box as it appeared like a frustrating evening for the Welsh side.

Yet, with the contest having ticked into its second half, Williams executed a shrewd assist for his teammate to get in behind the Liechtenstein defenders.

James beat the goalkeeper with a excellent cross across the face of goal, and his teammate Jordan had the easy task of relieving Wales' nerves.