D.C. United snatched all three points in dramatic fashion on Saturday night at Audi Field, beating Toronto FC 2-1 thanks to Tai Baribo’s 90’+10′ penalty in a tense Major League Soccer fixture in Washington.

It was a finish that felt harsh on Toronto after the visitors had battled back into the contest, but D.C. United kept pushing and were ultimately rewarded at the death. Kye Rowles had given the home side the lead in the 41st minute, Theo Corbeanu pulled Toronto level in the 76th minute, and just when the match seemed destined to end level, Baribo held his nerve from the spot deep into stoppage time.

The first half belonged slightly more to D.C. United in terms of incision, even if Toronto FC saw more of the ball over the course of the night. The home side asked more frequent questions in the final third, finishing with 17 total shots and 8 efforts on target, and their breakthrough arrived four minutes before the interval. Rowles rose to head home in the 41st minute, putting D.C. United into a deserved 1-0 lead at the break.

Toronto FC responded with more urgency after halftime. The visitors ended the match with 55.3 percent possession and 7 shots on target, showing enough control to stay within touching distance before finally finding their equalizer. In the 76th minute, Theo Corbeanu delivered the leveller to make it 1-1 and set up a nervy final stretch.

From there, the fixture opened up. D.C. United continued to threaten from wide areas and on set pieces, winning 8 corners on the night, while Toronto looked capable of stealing something on the counter. Jonathan Osorio’s yellow card in the 88th minute underlined the rising tension, and the closing stages turned increasingly frantic as both sides chased a decisive moment.

That moment came well beyond the 90 minutes. In the 90’+10′ minute, D.C. United were awarded a penalty, and Baribo stepped up to bury it, sending Audi Field into celebration and sealing a 2-1 victory for the home side.

The result gives D.C. United a badly needed lift, with the home side showing persistence in a match that could easily have drifted into a draw. Toronto FC, meanwhile, will feel this was a missed opportunity after working their way back into the fixture, only to concede from the spot at the very end.

Scorers: Kye Rowles 41′, Theo Corbeanu 76′, Tai Baribo 90’+10′ (penalty).