Radamel Falcao scored four in the second half for FC Porto to beat Villarreal 5-1 in the first leg of the Europa League semifinals on Thursday.
Ruben ''Cani'' Garcia flicked a cross from Nilmar to put Villarreal ahead in the 45th minute after an evenly matched first half, but Porto completely dominated after halftime as Falcao took his competition-leading scoring tally to 15 with Freddy Guarin adding another for the Portuguese champions.
''I've always had my dreams, but I never thought I'd score four,'' said Falcao. ''It is the first time in my career.''
Porto will look to protect its comfortable margin in Spain next Thursday to set up an all-Portuguese final against Benfica or Braga.
''We can't kid ourselves the job is done,'' said Porto coach Andre Villas-Boas. ''We have to keep our feet on the ground. The atmosphere away from home, in a foreign city, will be very different.''
Porto pressed up the pitch from the opening whistle with Cristian Rodriguez immediately lobbing a dangerous cross that goalkeeper Diego Lopez struggled to swat clear of the path of the oncoming Falcao.
Villarreal did not pass midfield until the seventh minute when Cani played Nilmar through with a perfectly weighted pass, but Porto goalkeeper Helton held firm to block the Brazil striker's attempt.
Giuseppe Rossi broke through Porto's vulnerable right flank in the 28th, rounding Helton, only for defender Ronaldo Ronesca to clear his goal-bound shot with a diving save.
Hulk had Porto's best first-half chance four minutes later when his left-footed blast from outside the area grazed the post.
Villarreal's opener was the payoff of a great team buildup started by Cani in his own half, and Lopez made a reflex save to deny Hulk's low strike on halftime.
''In the first half we took advantage of our chances to counterattack, but in the second half they went ahead and made it tough for us to play,'' said Nilmar. ''The result is horrible. It will be very difficult to get to the final.''
Falcao put on an offensive display in the remaining 45 minutes, scoring from the penalty spot, with his left foot, and twice with his head.
''He's a fantastic striker but he plays as part of a unit, which give him strength and opportunities,'' Villas-Boas said about his standout player.
Falcao blasted in a penalty kick after Lopez pulled him down in the area in the 49th to level the score.
Guarin then exposed the visitors' defense with a strike that hit the post before he headed the rebound into the net in the 61st.
Behind in the score, Villarreal fell apart as Hulk raced free down the right side to assist the unmarked Falcao in the 67th.
Falcao's fourth came when he headed in a free kick from Guarin, and he notched his fifth when he rose up to guide a header over Lopez in the 90th.
With its 13th straight victory overall, Porto boosts its chances of winning the triple crown after it claimed its 25th league crown with five rounds to play and faces Guimaraes in the Portuguese Cup final.
