Healy brilliance stuns Spain
David Healy scored a brilliant hat-trick
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Wednesday, 06, Sep 2006 10:45
David Healy scored a hat-trick as Northern Ireland twice came from behind to claim a stunning 3-2 victory against highly-fancied Spain at Windsor Park.
The Leeds striker, who famously scored to see off England a year ago, notched a brilliant treble as Lawrie Sanchez's side defied those who had written them off in the wake of their heavy defeat against Iceland at the weekend.
Few could have predicted the drama to follow as Spain swept into the lead with their first serious threat of the game just before the quarter-hour mark, midfielder Xavi clinically beating Maik Taylor - who replaced the injured Roy Carroll early on, from Antonio Lopez's cross.
Any fears of a rout were allayed just six minutes later, though, when Healy capitalised upon an uncharacteristically slack back-header from Liverpool schemer Xabi Alonso, nicking the ball past Real Madrid keeper Iker Casillas.
Chances came and went for both sides later on in the half, with promising Burnley youngster Kyle Lafferty missing a decent headed chance for the hosts before Fernando Torres missed from close range when the one-time Manchester United target seemed likely to regain the lead for his side.
Northern Ireland deservedly received the crowd's appreciation when the half-time whistle blew, but seven minutes into the second half they were behind again when the ever-sharp David Villa steered home after the hosts failed to clear their lines.
Back came Sanchez's men, and they showed delightful variation in contriving their equaliser. Nottingham Forest's Sammy Clingan caught out the Spaniards with a swiftly-taken short free-kick to Healy, who dispatched the chance with the minimum of fuss to secure parity again.
Real Madrid stalwart Raul almost gave his side the lead for the third time when his effort rebounded from the woodwork - but, just as Northern Irish eyes were gazing towards a deserved draw, the hosts found themselves in dreamland.
Healy far outdid his heroics of last September by chasing a long Taylor clearance in the 80th minute and launching a brilliant lob over Casillas from fully 25 yards out. Late Spanish pressure came to nothing and the men from Windsor Park held out for a win which defied the odds and put their country on the footballing map once more.
It was not only the Northern Irish who celebrated a famous victory last night - Germany notched a very different kind of triumph as they smashed the European Championship qualifying record with a 13-0 win in San Marino.
The pick of the night's other action saw France beat Italy 3-1 at the Stade de France in a repeat of July's World Cup final. Lyon's Sidney Govou scored twice for the French while Thierry Henry was also on the mark. Alberto Gilardino headed a consolation goal for Italy, who played their part in an often breathless encounter.