Mark Schwarzer vs Mathew Ryan
Australia against Australia. The almanac states its case, the crowd votes, you decide.
Mark Schwarzer
Australia · 2004–10 · GK
- Almanac rating
- 86
- Rank in Australia
- #4 of 33
- Caps
- 109 · 0 goals
- Clubs
- Marconi Stallions, Middlesbrough, Fulham
- Honours
- Hall of Fame 2009
On 16 November 2005 at Telstra Stadium, with Australia's 32-year wait for a World Cup on the line, he saved two Uruguayan penalties in the shootout and John Aloisi buried the last kick. He played 109 times for Australia across two World Cups, won the 2004 League Cup that remains Middlesbrough's only major trophy, reached the 2010 Europa League final with Fulham and made 514 Premier League appearances, the first player from outside Britain and Ireland past 500. Career record: 109 caps and 0 goals for Australia; club career at Marconi Stallions, Middlesbrough, Fulham; honours include Hall of Fame 2009.
Mathew Ryan
Australia · 2013–25 · GK
- Almanac rating
- 84
- Rank in Australia
- #9 of 33
- Caps
- 101 · 0 goals
- Clubs
- Central Coast Mariners, Club Brugge K.V., Brighton & Hove Albion
Ryan was winning his hundredth cap in Jeddah on 10 June 2025 when he beat out Salem Al-Dawsari's penalty in the 84th minute, and Australia held on to win 2-1 and reach a sixth straight World Cup. He won the 2015 Asian Cup at home and its Golden Glove, the Belgian Cup with Club Brugge, the A-League double with Central Coast in 2013, and kept two clean sheets in Qatar, a Socceroos record at a World Cup. Career record: 101 caps and 0 goals for Australia; club career at Central Coast Mariners, Club Brugge K.V., Brighton & Hove Albion.
The verdict
The almanac puts Mark Schwarzer ahead by 2 rating points, 86 against 84.
Fans have not settled this one yet. Cast the first vote in the duels.