Radamel Falcao scores as Colombia beat El Salvador 3-0

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.