Spain return to action 45 days after their third-place finish at the Confederations Cup in South Africa as the European champions face Macedonia in Wednesday’s international friendly in Skopje, kick-off at 21:30 hours (CET). Fernando Torres will make his 68th appearance against Macedonia with his sights set on grabbing his 23rd goal for his country. Should the striker score at the Philip II de Macedon Stadium, he will equal both Julio Salinas and Alfredo Di Stefano in Spain’s all-time top goalscorer list.

The clash will serve as a warm-up ahead of Spain’s two World Cup qualifiers versus Belgium and Estonia. Both games take place on Spanish soil, the first fixture on September 5 in Coruña, before Vicente Del Bosque face Estonia in Merida four days later. Spain lead their group World Cup qualifier group by six points ahead of second-placed Bosnia. Third-placed Turkey are 10 points adrift of the Group 5 leaders.

The two teams have met twice before with the European champions walking away with wins from both meetings. Macedonia for their part are struggling in their group with leaders Holland already assured of top-spot. Spain’s rivals are level with Scotland but the Scots have a game in hand as the two teams fight for the runners-up spot and a place in the play-offs for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

There will be a full house for the match which will serve as part of Macedonia’s centenary celebrations, although the game will be overshadowed by the recent tragic death of Espanyol player Dani Jarque.