MILAN, Italy - Dynamic Brazilian Kaka scored a hat-trick as AC Milan beat Anderlecht 4-1 to move to the brink of the Champions League's knockout stages.

AC Milan's Kaka celebrates after scoring his third goal against Anderlecht during their Champions League Group H soccer match in Milan November 1, 2006.  AC Milan beat Anderlecht 4-1 to move to the brink of the Champions League's knockout stages. [Reuters]

The elegant 24-year-old, who netted the only goal in the away leg in Belgium two weeks ago, scored an early penalty before linking up superbly with compatriot Cafu to double his tally before half time.

Kaka saved his best till last, driving a powerful, angled shot into the top corner from 20 yards 11 minutes after the restart.

Roland Juhasz pulled one back for the Belgian visitors with a firm header, before Alberto Gilardino grabbed Milan's fourth goal - his first in the Champions League - with a sweetly-struck half-volley.

Milan top group H with 10 points, five ahead of French side Lille who were beaten 1-0 away to AEK Athens. AEK are third in the group on four points. followed by Anderlecht on two, with two matches left to play.

Milan were dealt a blow half an hour before kick-off when their Georgian left-back Kakha Kaladze pulled his right hamstring. His place in the starting line-up went to Czech Republic international Marek Jankulovski.

Milan, who came into the match with just one win in six matches, culmintaing in their 4-3 derby defeat to city rivals Inter Milan last Saturday, went ahead in the seventh minute at the San Siro.

Juhasz' clumsy challenge on Gilardino in the box left the Milan striker flat on the floor, and German referee Herbert Fandel pointed to the spot.

Kaka stepped up and hammered the ball right-footed past Daniel Zitka.

Zitka prevented Anderlecht from falling further behind in the 14th minute with a fine reflex save to keep out Dario Simic's close-range shot.

Cafu came on for Alessandro Nesta shortly afterwards when the Italy international injured his left shoulder, and his introduction helped increase Milan's advantage in the 22nd minute.

Kaka exchanged passes with his fellow countryman before clipping the ball past a helpless Zitka with his right foot.

Anderlecht showed more adventure at the start of the second half, and Mohammed Tchite should have at least hit the target when presented with a decent opportunity in the 50th minute.

Kaka completed his treble with a stunning strike, before Juhasz reduced the deficit with a meaty header to revive his flagging team.

Jankulovski struck his own bar with an attempted clearance before Milan keeper Nelson Dida produced two excellent saves to deny Serhat and Tchite as Anderlecht started to ask questions of the Milan defence.

Gilardino put the result beyond doubt with a clinical finish two minutes from time.