Italy legend Gianfranco Zola, who was on the sport for BBC Sport, was notably impressed with the Charles brothers, midfielder Shea and goalkeeper Pierce, who he described as “good”.
“This nationwide group has an excellent future, they’ve potential and they should continue to grow and enhancing,” mentioned the previous Chelsea ahead.
“Once they get one thing extra within the remaining third of the pitch there might be a giant enchancment.”
These are large phrases from a participant and pundit of Zola’s stature, and O’Neill echoed these ideas.
He described 20-year-old Sheffield Wednesday stopper Pierce, who missed the whole group marketing campaign by means of damage, as “magnificent”, and felt Shea and fellow midfielder Ethan Galbraith “might each play at a better degree” than Championship golf equipment after impressing in opposition to Tonali, Manuel Locatelli and Nicolo Barella.
O’Neill mentioned he might reward each participant in his group for the way they tailored on a giant stage.
“The saves that he made at key moments, however his [Pierce’s] resolution making was wonderful,” he added.
“He does not convey any strain on to his again three, which I believe is uncommon in a goalkeeper of that age. He is received an excellent temperament.
“There have been nice performances everywhere in the pitch tonight, however Pierce particularly had a really robust efficiency.
“The issue, as I say, is having depth in our squad to cope with when gamers will not be accessible to us – and that is one thing that can take a little bit of time.
“There is no technique to quick monitor that. We simply need to be affected person.”
