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Spain's players celebrate after scoring against Macedonia during their international friendly soccer match in Skopje August 12, 2009.[Xinhua/Reuters Photo]
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Three goals in a 10-minute spell at the start of the second half earned Spain what had looked like an unlikely win away to Macedonia.
The Spanish had gone into the dressing rooms at half time trailing 2-0 thanks to goals from Goran Pandev. The striker, who plays his football in Italy with Lazio, had caught them on the break on two separate occasions.
The score had been harsh on Spain, who had controlled most of the ball, although the players looked short of match practice in this pre-season friendly.
Before the match kicked off both sides observed a minute's silence for former Espanyol captain Daniel Jarque, who died of a heart attack on Saturday, aged just 26.
The game changed completely at the start of the second period. Coach Vicente Del Bosque made three changes and was rewarded when one of the substitutes - Fernando Torres, headed home Xavi Hernandez's cross following a short corner after 52 minutes.
Three minutes later Spain was on level terms as Gerard Pique poked the ball home from close range after Cesc Fabregas' long range shot had rattled the Macedonia post.
Fabregas had also entered the game as a second half substitute.
Before Macedonia had time to reorganize, Spain took the lead. Albert Riera firing home a left foot shot from outside of the area after 57 minutes.
Spain coach Vicente del Bosque made several more changes and striker Dani Guiza came close on two occasions to extending Spain's lead.
As it was there were no further goals, but Spain will have regained confidence ahead of next months World cup qualifying matches against Estonia and Belgium.
