Radamel Falcao's first international goal in nearly a year and a quickfire Carlos Bacca brace gave Colombia a 3-0 victory over El Salvador on Friday in a friendly in the US.

Falcao, currently on loan to Manchester United from Monaco, opened the scoring in the seventh minute with a blistering header from a cross by Santiago Arias.

It was his first goal for Colombia since November 2013 and was greeted with rapture by the largely pro-Colombia crowd at Red Bull Arena, home of Major League Soccer's New York Red Bulls.

Falcao missed Colombia's run to the World Cup quarter-finals recovering from a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.

He had made his international return as a late substitute in a 1-0 friendly defeat to Brazil last month.

Bacca scored twice in the space of three minutes in the second half, in the 48th and 51st minutes, to give Colombia a comfortable lead.

Although Colombia pressed from the first, it was El Salvador that manufactured the first opportunity, but Colombia keeper Camilo Vargas was able to deny a blast from Alexander Larin.

Colombia responded immediately, and three minutes later Arias's cross was immaculately headed home by Falcao.

Each team will play another friendly in the United States next Tuesday.

El Salvador face Ecuador -- who played to a 1-1 friendly draw with the United States in Connecticut on Friday -- and Colombia play Canada in a double-header at Red Bull Arena.