Eric Bailly missed the decisive spot-kick in the penalty shootout as Ivory Coast's Africa Cup of Nations journey ended at the hands of Egypt.
As a result, former Manchester United assistant manager Carlos Quieroz will begin preparations for his side's clash with Morocco in the quarter-final on January 30.
Bailly made his mark on the game in just nine minutes after he was booked for a wild swipe as the Egyptians posed a threat on the break and saw his penalty miss prove to be crucial as they were beaten 5-4.
He passed a late fitness test after a head injury forced him out of the group decider against Algeria but was forced to wear a protective head guard.
Bailly stepped up to take the third spot-kick but saw the Egyptian goalkeeper guess the right way as Mohamed Salah sealed the win.
Eagle-eyed fans noticed that the Reds defender flamboyantly tried a 'no-look' penalty.
The 27-year-old was solid in defence making a number of interceptions, tackles and winning headers but in one instance in the dying embers of the game, he pulled up after making a headed clearance and winced in pain.
He did manage to see out the 120 minutes keeping Egypt's match-winner quiet throughout the course of the clash.
Rather than preparing for the last eight, he will return to Manchester and look to forge a place in the starting line-up, something he has managed just three times in the Premier League.
The Reds return to action at the start of February in the FA Cup against Middlesbrough.
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