The Green and White Army – managed by Lawrie Sanchez – had twice fallen behind but restored parity through talisman Healy, before the current Linfield boss sent Windsor Park into jubilation by bagging the winner with ten minutes to go.
The Spain squad featured the likes of Xavi, David Villa, Sergio Ramos, Xabi Alonso and Fernando Torres...but they didn’t do too badly after that loss as they won Euro 2008 and 2012, as well as the 2010 World Cup.
Northern Ireland famously beat Spain at the 1982 World Cup through Gerry Armstrong’s finish and the two countries are set to meet for the first time since 2007 in friendly action on Saturday night.
Whilst the contest won’t have as much significance as the two famous scalps, it will give Michael O’Neill another chance to work with his players before the Nations League campaign.
Here are 12 photos from that 3-2 win against Spain in 2006.
Northern Ireland famously beat Spain at the 1982 World Cup through Gerry Armstrong’s finish and the two countries are set to meet for the first time since 2007 in friendly action on Saturday night.
![David Healy soaking it all in after his hat-trick heroics against Spain at Windsor Park](https://www.newsletter.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjExMDg4YzdjLTcyNzYtNDRkMy1hMmU3LWQ5MzRiZjU1MTk1MDo1ZDZkZGVlNC1lZmZmLTQwNTYtOWU2ZS05YjZjNTY0ODlmMzU=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=640)
9. Hat-trick hero
David Healy soaking it all in after his hat-trick heroics against Spain at Windsor ParkPhoto: WILLIAM CHERRY/PRESSEYE
![A colossus performance at the back by Stephen Craigan helped Northern Ireland seal the 3-2 win against Spain](https://www.newsletter.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjAzNmRiNzE2LTA0M2MtNDE2NC05OGJlLTA3MjBmOWViN2VjNToxMmU4ZDQ3NS1lYTM5LTQ5MTEtOGUxMS1jN2I0ZTBjNWEzNGQ=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=640)
10. Roar with delight
A colossus performance at the back by Stephen Craigan helped Northern Ireland seal the 3-2 win against SpainPhoto: WILLIAM CHERRY/PRESSEYE
![Stephen Craigan (left) and Aaron Hughes soak in the atmosphere after the full-time whistle](https://www.newsletter.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjI4NTU2MzJkLTg4MGItNDhjZi05NjdmLThiNzkwN2QyZTAzODo1ZGZjYTdlZC0yMzI0LTQzN2EtOWI1OS1mZDkwZDk2ZjQwNjU=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=640)
11. Defensive duo
Stephen Craigan (left) and Aaron Hughes soak in the atmosphere after the full-time whistlePhoto: WILLIAM CHERRY/PRESSEYE
![Aaron Hughes celebrates the famous win the Green and White Army at Windsor Park](https://www.newsletter.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjU1ZDBiNTcyLTkzMmItNDBiNS1hMjc5LTUzMjRkZDM4NzNkYTo5YmIxYjJlMS05YTBjLTRjOTktOGZhNS0zZjE3ZmIxMGM4Yzc=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=640)
12. War wound
Aaron Hughes celebrates the famous win the Green and White Army at Windsor ParkPhoto: WILLIAM CHERRY/PRESSEYE