The trio of Artur Akhmatkhuzin, Alexey Cheremisinov and individual Rio 2016 bronze medallist Timur Safin trailed for long spells but fought back to claim a 45-41 victory and secure their country's third gold of the fencing events.

Victory also ensured Russia’s first team foil Olympic gold since Atlanta 1996. 

"The guys have showed that they are fighters, real warriors," Russia’s coach Ilgar Mammadov, a member of the gold medal-winning team in Atlanta 20 years ago, told Russia Today.

"It is possible to win a completely lost fight, if you don’t give up."

Russia's athletics and weightlifting teams are banned from these Olympics following allegations of state-sponsored doping, although International Olympic Committee resisted huge pressure to enforce a complete blanket ban.

The country now has a total of 22 medals at Rio 2016 with their two other golds coming in judo.

The United States took the men's foil team bronze medal with a 45-31 victory over defending champions Italy.

It was the country’s first Olympic podium in the event since the Los Angeles 1932 and earned them their third fencing medal at Rio 2016.

The US had earlier lost 45-41 against Russia in the second semi-final following France’s 45-30 win over Italy in the first. 

"I only have my team-mates to thank because I was down after that match," America's Alexander Massialas, the individual Rio 2016 silver medallist, who lost all the rounds he contested in the penultimate stage, said.

"It was probably one of the worst team matches I've ever fenced in my whole life, and I felt like I let the whole team down.

"At the end of the day, my team-mates took it in their stride.

"What happens in fencing, happens."

Rio 2016 fencing action is due to continue tomorrow with the women’s sabre team event.