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The great Zinedine Zidane today put into perspective the task facing Northern Ireland tomorrow night.
Nigel Worthington's side need to beat Spain to qualify for the European Championship finals.
And according to French legend Zidane, if Northern Ireland succeed in that aim it will rank as a truly extraordinary result - as he believes the Spanish will go on and win Euro 2008.
Spain are considered the great under-achievers in world football.
They have always had sides packed with potential, but too often fail to perform in major tournaments.
Zidane feels, however, that next year in Austria and Switzerland that could change.
The former Real Madrid hero, in Malaga for a charity game, said: "Spain has always had good teams.
"They just lack a major title but that may come in the next European Championship.
"They certainly have a good chance."
Spain won the 1964 European Championship, but it has been disappointment after disappointment ever since.
Indeed it was Zidane who wrecked Spain's last chance of glory, inspiring the French to beat them in the knock-out stages of the 2006 World Cup.
He's in good company because Gerry Armstrong and David Healy have also heaped misery on the Spanish in the past.
Healy will hope to do so again.
If he hits a winner tomorrow it will outdo his spectacular treble at Windsor in November last year during that epic 3-2 win.
When Luis Aragonés' side returned home from that defeat, they were treated like villains who had embarrassed the country.
After sealing Euro 2008 qualification with a 3-0 win over Sweden on Saturday they are now being billed as heroes, but clearly their experience in Belfast has not been forgotten.
Arsenal star Cesc Fabregas declared: "We have an opportunity to finish first in the group and need a win to do it. That's what we will be aiming for on Wednesday.
"And of course we all want to win after what happened in Northern Ireland."
While Healy and co arrived in Gran Canaria on Sunday, the Spanish didn't fly into the resort until last night.
Both teams were scheduled to train in the heat today.
Northern Ireland, allowing for the absent Jonny Evans and Keith Gillespie, due to suspension, and George McCartney, due to injury, will field their strongest possible side.
As for Spain they will make changes from the team that impressed so much against the Swedes.
Coach Aragonés, who is leaving the post after the finals next year, wants the competition for squad places to start now and will demand that those players not normally regarded as first choices show him they cannot afford to be left out.
Zidane feels the Spanish have enough squad-strength to go all the way in Euro 2008 and, by that token, he suggests that the home side will win tomorrow.
But hey, what does he know about football?
