Milan thrashed by Dortmund

Hat-trick hero Amoroso (left) celebrates with Ewerthon

Borussia Dortmund 4-0 AC Milan

Brazilian Marcio Amoroso struck a first-half hat-trick as Borussia Dortmund put one foot in the Uefa Cup final.

The striker was in devastating form as his early heroics ensured next week's second leg is unlikely to be much more than a formality.

Amoroso had already had one goal disallowed when he opened the scoring from the penalty spot on eight minutes.

Amoroso heads home to seal his hat-trick

Eleven minutes before half-time he doubled the advantage, flicking the ball over flat-footed Danish defender Martin Laursen before bagging his second.

Five minutes later he completed a stunning hat-trick, flying in for a far-post header from an Ewerthon cross.

Ewerthon was again the provider for Dortmund's fourth, Joerg Heinrich the benefactor.

Milan were without injured striker Andriy Shevchenko and defender Alessandro Costacurta, while Portuguese midfielder Rui Costa was on the bench with a strain.

However, they missed much more, showing little sign of defensive order or midfield punch.

The two meet again next Thursday, but already Italy's hopes of an all-Milan seem over.

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Borussia Dortmund: Lehmann, Worns, Metzelder, Reuter, Heinrich, Oliseh, Dede, Rosicky, Koller, Ewerthon, Amoroso. Subs: Laux, Kohler, Evanilson, Stevic, Herrlich, Reina, Addo.

AC Milan: Abbiati, Maldini, Kaladze, Contra, Laursen, Albertini, Gattuso, Pirlo, Ambrosini, Inzaghi, Jose Mari. Subs: Rossi, Roque Junior, Rui Costa, Serginho, Brocchi, Donati, Simone.

Referee: Graham Poll (England)