Algeria against Spain. The almanac states its case, the crowd votes, you decide.
Algeria · 2016–23 · RM
Nigeria built a wall and laid a man on the grass behind it in the fifth minute of stoppage time in the 2019 semi-final, and Mahrez curled the free kick over both into the top corner. Algeria won that Africa Cup of Nations, and he collected five English league titles, one with Leicester in 2016 and four at Manchester City, the 2023 Champions League, and African Footballer of the Year in 2016. Career record: 120 caps and 40 goals for Algeria; club career at Leicester City, Manchester City, Al Ahli; honours include national Player of the Year 2016, Hall of Fame 2019.
Spain · 2023–26 · RM
Aged sixteen against France in Munich on 9 July 2024, he cut inside from the right and curled a shot into the top corner past Mike Maignan, the youngest goal in European Championship history. World champion with Spain in 2026 and European champion in 2024, he has three La Liga titles and a Copa del Rey with Barcelona, the Golden Boy award in 2024, and the Kopa Trophy in both 2024 and 2025. Career record: 33 caps and 7 goals for Spain; club career at FC Barcelona.
The almanac cannot separate them: both are rated 90.
Fans have not settled this one yet. Cast the first vote in the duels.