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Wales earned a narrow 1-0 victory over international minnows Liechtenstein to sustain their chances of World Cup qualifying.

The young midfielder notched his maiden international strike for the national team from near the goal after Liechtenstein’s group of professionals, amateurs and part-timers had defended for the majority of the match. James celebrated in joy with his visible excitement echoed by the 3,000 Welsh followers occupying three sides of the Rheinpark Stadion in Vaduz.

Shortly after, though, James was shown a yellow card and another booking for his midfield partner means the pair are ruled out for Tuesday’s decisive game with their next opponents through disciplinary issues.

The Cardiff City Stadium contest is a clash Wales need to win to leapfrog their rivals and obtain a more favourable seeding in the playoffs in March.

The Wales manager had an unusual perspective from the stands, Bellamy serving a sideline suspension after being shown a second yellow card in the tournament last month.

Bellamy’s deputy his assistant assumed duties in the technical area and several key players – James, Ampadu, Joe Rodon, Williams – were at risk of suspension from being absent for the final qualifier. Two of them were booked in moments that might hamper their team.

The home side, situated near the bottom in international football, had been goalless in their winless run and conceded twenty-three goals at an average of around four per fixture.

Wales predictably controlled the ball as Liechtenstein adopted a deep defensive line and got bodies behind the ball.

Liechtenstein's net remained unthreatened until the forward's pressing forced an error and James saw his effort from the penalty area pushed aside by Benjamin Büchel.

A similar move crafted an opportunity, James picking out his teammate this time with a precise pass over the top.

Broadhead’s superb control took him past the keeper but the Wrexham striker failed to finish from a narrow position.

Wales felt they scored the opener after the first half when James nodded a deep Sorba Thomas set-piece back into a packed goal area.

The Liechtenstein keeper was harassed by Lawlor and Joe Rodon, and his feeble attempt fell to Nathan Broadhead who drove home emphatically. But Wales' elation were halted when the match official was sent to the VAR screen and decided that one or more of the Wales defenders was in an offside position from James’s header.

The visitors stepped up a gear after the break and Sorba Thomas provided a cross to the back post which the winger struck the crossbar.

Williams then directed his header off target from inside the penalty box as it started to seem like a frustrating evening for the Welsh side.

Yet, with the match having reached its 61st minute, Neco Williams delivered a shrewd assist for his teammate to run past the home defence.

Daniel James cut out the goalkeeper with a superb ball along the six-yard box, and his namesake Jordan had the simple opportunity of ending Welsh tension.