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Wales earned a hard-fought 1-0 win over less-fancied opponents Liechtenstein to keep alive their hopes of World Cup finals qualification.

The young midfielder notched his maiden goal for Wales from inside the box after the home side's assorted collection of full-time players, office workers and part-timers had defended for over an hour. The scorer wheeled away in delight with his obvious relief echoed by the three thousand Wales followers packed into most sections of the Rheinpark Stadion in Vaduz.

Soon afterwards, yet, Jordan James was cautioned and a further late caution for Ethan Ampadu resulted in the pair are unavailable for the upcoming crucial match with North Macedonia due to disciplinary issues.

The Cardiff City Stadium contest is a clash the Welsh team must win to overtake their rivals and obtain a more favourable position in the final round in March.

The Wales manager had an different perspective from the sidelines, the Wales manager completing a touchline ban after receiving a additional booking in the qualifiers earlier.

The manager's assistant his assistant took his place in the coaching zone and several key players – Jordan James, Ampadu, Joe Rodon, Neco Williams – were at risk of suspension from missing the final qualifier. Two of them came unstuck in incidents that might hamper their team.

The home side, ranked 206 out of 210 teams in global rankings, had failed to score in their winless run and allowed 23 times at an rate of almost four per fixture.

The visitors unsurprisingly dominated possession as their hosts lay in a low defensive block and defended in numbers.

Liechtenstein's net was rarely tested until the forward's high press forced an error and Jordan James saw his attempt from the 18-yard line parried by Benjamin Büchel.

The same combination crafted an opportunity, James locating Broadhead on this occasion with a well-weighted ball into space.

Broadhead’s fine touch beat Büchel but the Wrexham striker was unable to score from a tight angle.

Wales thought they had taken the lead after the first half when James nodded a high Thomas corner back into a crowded goal area.

The Liechtenstein keeper was harassed by Dylan Lawlor and Rodon, and his poor clearance fell to Nathan Broadhead who scored decisively. But Wales' celebrations were halted when the official was sent to the VAR screen and determined that at least one of the Wales centre-halves was in an offside position from James’s header.

Wales increased the pressure after the interval and Thomas provided a centering pass to the far post which Daniel James hit the woodwork.

Neco Williams then headed wide from inside the penalty box as it started to seem like a frustrating evening for the Welsh side.

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

James beat the goalkeeper with a delightful pass across the face of goal, and his namesake Jordan had the straightforward job of easing Wales' tension.