N Ireland beat Spain 3-2 with Healy hat-trick

BELFAST, Sep 7 (Reuters) A hat-trick by striker David Healy gave Northern Ireland a surprise 3-2 home win over fancied Spain in their Euro 2008 Group F qualifier yesterday.

The visitors took an early lead with their 1,000 goal -- a volleyed cross by midfielder Xavi that whizzed past substitute goalkeeper Maik Taylor, brought on for the injured Roy Carroll.

But the hosts, smarting from a 3-0 home defeat by Iceland in their opening qualifier on Saturday, hit back when Healy seized on a mix up inside the box to head a 21st minute equaliser.

The sides were level going into the second half but Northern Ireland struggled to keep up the momentum early on and Spain striker David Villa, on the receiving end of a nifty pass from Cesc Fabregas, put Spain 2-1 ahead in the 54th minute.

Northern Ireland continued to struggle and the visitors, who won 4-0 in their opening group game against Liechtenstein on Saturday, narrowly missed two good chances courtesy of Raul.

But Healy, sweeping in a free kick, brought the home side level again with his second goal in the 66th minute before grabbing his third, off a long clearance, 15 minutes later.

Healy, Northern Ireland's all-time leading scorer with 23 goals in 52 internationals, said the victory had restored pride after their lacklustre performance against Iceland.

''I think tonight we showed our character more than anything ...

I think it's a lesson for everybody,'' Healy said.

''We let down people on Saturday but what was written got a little bit out of hand.

''(Coach) Lawrie (Sanchez) wanted us to put a bit of pride back in the jersey.'' REUTERS DH PM0420