Spain scored three goals in four minutes in the second half on Wednesday to rally for a 3-2 win over Macedonia in a friendly.

Goran Pandev netted twice to give Macedonia a 2-0 halftime lead and leave the European champions in danger of a second defeat in three games.

However, Fernando Torres replied with a header in the 51st, with Gerard Pique and Albert Riera firing home in the 54th and 55th.

Spain's team took the field wearing red shirts bearing the surname and No. 21 of Espanyol and Spain under-21 captain Daniel Jarque, who died from a heart attack on Saturday.

The players then donned their yellow match shirts before a minute's silence was held at the Philip II stadium.

The visitors, lacking injured defender Sergio Ramos and midfielders Andres Iniesta and Marcos Senna, were looking for a good performance following their defeat against the United States in the Confederations Cup semifinal in June.

However, they were rocked by their opponents’ powerful start and fell behind in the eighth minute when Pandev rounded goalkeeper Pepe Reina and fired home following a swift counterattack by the home team.

Macedonia, ranked 53rd in the world, continued to worry Spain with its direct play and Reina produced an impressive save to prevent Aco Stojkov from doubling to the lead in the 23rd.

The visitors’ troubles increased when Pandev cut in from the right before swivelling and firing his second goal with his left foot past the diving Reina.

Spain's first scoring chance did not arrive until the 37th, when David Villa lifted the ball over advancing Macedonia goalkeeper Jane Nikoloski but over the crossbar.

Two minutes later, Villa rattled Nikoloski's left post with a shot from inside the area.

Spain coach Vicente del Bosque reacted at halftime with three substitutions and the visitors responded almost instantly, with Torres heading home his 23rd international goal from Xavi's inswinging cross from the left.

Pique then drilled the equaliser after substitute Cesc Fabregas’ shot rebounded off the post, before Riera rifled the visitors into the lead a minute later.

Del Bosque made further substitutions and handed Villarreal goalkeeper Diego Lopez and Osasuna left back Nacho Monreal their international debuts.

Macedonia substitute Darko Tasevski almost equalised in the 84th when his fierce shot was tipped onto the bar by Lopez as the home team briefly revived in the final stages.

Spain next plays World Cup qualifying games against Belgium and Estonia on Sept. 5 and 9. Del Bosque's team leads Group 5 with a perfect 18 points from its six games.

Macedonia, which stands third in Group 9, visits Scotland on Sept. 5 and Norway four days later.

AP