With Hungary having already eliminated, Spain were expecting a comfortable clash but instead found themselves locked in a fiercely competitive match from the outset.

Spain scored the opening goal of the game but then trailed for the rest of the half before recovering to go in 15-15 at half-time. 

The Spaniards then edged ahead 19-16 but were still facing a relentless attack, with goalkeepers Perez de Vargas and Arpad Sterbik each making a string of superb saves.

They always managed to always stay narrowly ahead, with Rivera's decisive penalty sealing the points in the final moments.

"Hungary played fantastic, but we fought until the end in one of the best matches during the whole tournament," said Spain's Alex Dujshebaev.

"It took until the last second before this win was secured," 

Denmark stayed top of the group following a thrilling 25-25 draw with Sweden in the day's later match.

The winners of the tournament will qualify for a place at this year's Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

It was semi-finals day at the Asian Championships in Bahrain, meanwhile, with both matches held at Khalifa Sports City Hall in Isa Town.

Qatar beat Saudi Arabia 22-13 in the first match before hosts Bahrain overcame Japan 29-23 in the second.

A final round of matches also took place in the group stage of the African Championships today in Cairo.

Egypt consolidated their position at the top of Group A with a 31-13 win over third-placed Morocco, while second-placed Algeria beat Nigeria 31-23 and Cameroon overcame Gabon, 25-22.

Tunisia topped the pile in Group B after overcoming nearest rivals Angola 23-21.

Democratic Republic of Congo beat bottom-placed Kenya 35-30.

Republic of Congo sealed the final quarter-final qualification spot despite being held to a 21-21 draw with Libya.