The problem before us (5)

I believe the answer is:

facer

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'the problem' is the definition.
(I have seen 'Awkward problem' mean 'facer' so perhaps 'problem' could also mean 'facer')

I can't explain the remainder of the clue.

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(Other definitions for facer that I've seen before include "Unexpected and difficult problem" , "challenge" , "Informally, a sudden great difficulty" , "sudden problem" , "Awkward problem" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.

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