Goalie, defender make spectacular back-to-back saves with their faces

What happens when you mix soccer and Whack-A-Mole? You get Nacional vs. Palmeiras in Copa Libertadores.

As a goalkeeper, you recognize that getting hit is kind of your job. And sometimes it may be in the face. That's not the glamorous part of the job, but it's the job, nonetheless. Defenders don't expect it, though. And they don't expect it right after seeing their goalkeeper take one to the nose.

It paid off for Nacional, though. They beat Palmeiras, 1-0, to jump to the top of their group and their ability to take balls to the face was the difference.

At least Palmeiras can take solace in being Whack-A-Mole champions. It doesn't come with a trophy, but they do get a lot of tickets to buy a shoddy toy that they will throw out on the way home.