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Sir Alex Ferguson: 'Magnificent' Wales can beat Portugal to reach final

Former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson believes that Wales have a great chance of continuing their stay at the European Championship.

Chris Coleman's Wales face Portugal in the first Euro 2016 semifinal on Wednesday evening, but Ferguson believes the Welsh have shown more than enough to suggest they can make it through to Sunday's final.

"Wales' story is fantastic," Ferguson told the BBC. "The best film director in the world couldn't have fashioned what's happened; they've been absolutely magnificent.

"Now they're into the semifinal the story's not ended -- they could beat Portugal, I don't think there's any doubt about that."

Wales came from a goal down at the quarterfinal stage to beat Belgium 3-1, but Ferguson was just as impressed with the manner of the victory as he was with the result.

"In the game against Belgium I had a slight feeling that they could win it," Ferguson said. "But when they lost the first goal you're thinking 'it's a challenge.' From there on they absolutely outplayed them.

"The confidence they had on the ball, the belief in making sure they played football -- it was absolutely brilliant. They deserved to win that game.

"I think the manager's done a fantastic job I really do."

Wales will be missing defender Ben Davies and midfielder Aaron Ramsey due to suspension for Wednesday's semifinal in Lyon, which kicks off at 9 p.m. local time.