Fernando Torres equalled both Alfredo Di Stefano and Julio Salinas in the Spain all-time scorer’s table with his 23rd goal for his country on 51 minutes of the friendly in Skopje. The forward flicked a Xavi cross past Nikolovski who was rooted to the spot. The Liverpool striker’s goal was his team’s first of the night as the European champions fought back from 2-0 down to win 2-3.

The Spain players all took to the pitch at the Felipe II de Macedon Stadium wearing the number 21 shirt with the name Jarque on the back. An emotive minute’s silence was held in the memory of Dani Jarque who died from a heart-attack on Saturday.

Spain were quickest out of the blocks as Fernando Torres was inches away from controlling a long ball from Arbeloa.

Macedonia took a surprise lead early on as Pandev put the home side in front. The striker collected a pass from Naumoski in space, and with just Reina to beat, crashed his shot beyond the desperate dive of the Spain keeper.

Pandev scored his second of night just after the half hour mark. The Lazio forward cut inside Puyol before beating Reina with a shot into the far corner. The Spain shot-stopper managed to get his hand to the ball, but couldn’t quite do enough to stop Macedonia doubling their lead.

Although Spain were dominating possession, Vicente Del Bosque’s team were having trouble breaking down the Macedonia defence. Fernando Torres had a header saved by Nikolovski as the visitors turned the screw.

David Villa struck the post on 45 minutes as the European champions looked to grab a goal back before the interval.

The last chance of the half fell to Silva, the midfielder striking the ball straight at Nikolovski after Villa’s free-kick had been blocked by the wall.

A header from Fernando Torres six minutes after the break, goal number 23 for his country, breathed life into the visitors. The striker grabbed a yard on his marker before flicking the ball past Nikolovski.

Just three minutes later Spain were level as Pique passed the ball into an empty net after a Cesc shot had hit the post.

Things got worse for a shell-shocked Macedonia as Riera rifled home from an acute angle on 56 minutes to put Spain into the lead for the first time.

With the European champions comeback complete, Vicente Del Bosque brought on Dani Guiza for Fernando Torres.

A carrousel of substitutions followed, as both teams made a total of 12 changes in a stop start second-half. Macedonia struck the bar with a free-kick late on, but there were no more goals for either side as Spain held on for the win.


- Match Stats: Macedonia 2-3 Spain

Macedonia: Nikolovski (Packovski, 67), Noveski (Mojson, 57), Sedloski, Mitreski, Popov, Despotovski, Georgievski (Grozdanoski, 61), Sumulikoski, Naumoski (Ivanovski,58), Stojkov, Pandev (Ibrahimi, 79)

Booked: Naumoski

Goals: Pandev 7, 32

Spain: Reina (Diego Lopez, 65), Capdevila (Monreal, 75), Pique, Puyol, Arbeloa, Xabi Alonso (Busquets, 46), Xabi (Marchena, 71), Silva, Cazorla (Cesc, 46), Villa (Riera, 46), Torres (Guiza, 64)

Booked: Xavi

Goals: Torres 51, Pique 54, Riera 56