Their hopes had looked distant after they fell to a 19-0 loss to Hong Kong in their opening pool match of the tournament yesterday, but they had responded with wins over Mexico and South Korea to reach the quarter-finals.

The Spanish team’s improved form continued today, as they recorded a 12-7 win over Ireland in their quarter-final clash, before beating Russia 17-12 to advance to the final.

Samoa, who finished third at the 2015 Oceania Sevens Championship, stood in Spain’s way after they had overcome surprise package Germany 26-14 in their last four encounter.

Despite the Samoan team being tipped as one of the favourites to secure the final Olympic berth, it was the Spanish team who took a commanding early lead in the final.

Tries from Carron Llorens and Hernadez Jimenez put Spain into a 12-0 lead, only for Alexandra Samoa and Teofilo Fidow to go over for Samoa in reply.

The Samoan turnaround looked completed when Belgium Tuatagaloa scored their third try at the start of the second half to put them into a 19-12 lead.

However, Ignacio Martin Goenaga brought Spain back to within two points with a try, which was then unconverted.

In the final minute of the contest Pol Pla broke Samoan hearts by scoring Spain’s fourth try of the match to earn them a 22-19 victory and the Rio 2016 spot.

“I am still trying to take it in, this is a dream for us,” said Angel Lopez afterwards.

“We are going to be Olympians.

“We believed that we are good enough, but wow, this is pretty special.

“We will be very motivated and determined to do our nation, our family and Spanish rugby proud.”

Spain will now join already qualified Fiji, Great Britain, New Zealand, South Africa, Argentina, United States, France, Japan, Australia and Kenya at the Games, as well as hosts Brazil.

A qualification tournament will take place at Dublin's UCD Bowl on June 25 and 26 to decide the last remaining spot in the women’s Olympic tournament.