Didier Drogba, Salomon Kalou and Gervinho all scored for the Ivory Coast as they overpowered Senegal 3-1 in the first leg of their World Cup play-off on Saturday in Abidjan.
Former Chelsea legend Drogba opened the scoring, before Gervinho, formerly of Arsenal, doubled the lead.
Another ex-Blue, Kalou, grabbed the third as the Elephants set themselves up nicely for the second leg.
But in the sixth minute of injury time, Newcastle's Papiss Cisse stepped up and struck to give Senegal hope.