Riyad Mahrez vs Pedro Cea
Algeria against Uruguay. The almanac states its case, the crowd votes, you decide.
Riyad Mahrez
Algeria · 2016–23 · RM
- Almanac rating
- 90
- Rank in Algeria
- #2 of 33
- Caps
- 120 · 40 goals
- Clubs
- Leicester City, Manchester City, Al Ahli
- Honours
- national Player of the Year 2016 · Hall of Fame 2019
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.
Pedro Cea
Uruguay · 1924–30 · RM
- Almanac rating
- 90
- Rank in Uruguay
- #13 of 33
- Caps
- 26 · 13 goals
- Clubs
- Centro Atletico Lito, C.A. Bella Vista, Club Nacional de Football
Yugoslavia led inside four minutes of the 1930 semi-final, so he equalised and kept going, finishing with three goals in a 6-1 win on 27 July. Three days later he levelled the first World Cup final at 2-2 and Uruguay beat Argentina 4-2, a title he added to Olympic gold in 1924 and 1928 and two Copa América wins, having scored five times across that first tournament. Career record: 26 caps and 13 goals for Uruguay; club career at Centro Atletico Lito, C.A. Bella Vista, Club Nacional de Football.
The verdict
The almanac cannot separate them: both are rated 90.
Fans have not settled this one yet. Cast the first vote in the duels.