Sports World: Inter Beat Juventus 1-0 In Derby D'Italia; Build-Up To AFCON, Asian Cup Semis - As It Happened

Much of the day was spent building up to the events on the horizon, with the penultimate rounds of the Africa Cup of Nations, the AFC Asian Cup, and the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup to come. Meanwhile, India picked up where they left off against England, and thwarted the visitors from winning the second Test in Visakhapatnam. In Italy, Inter Milan beat Juventus 1-0 in the early hours of February 5. Here are all the highlights from the sports world on the day. (IND Vs ENG 2nd Test Day 4 Blog| Football News)

Inter Milan moved four points clear at the top of Serie A after defeating Juventus on an own goal by Federico Gatti. In the 37th minute, a cross from the right deflected off Gatti's chest to give Inter the lead.

Federico Dimarco's low ball behind the defenders let Inter's Marcus Thuram through on goal, but he was stopped by a last-ditch challenge by Gleison Bremer. Inter has a game in hand over second-place Juventus and third-place AC Milan.

Barry John, the great former Cardiff, Wales, and British and Irish Lions flyhalf, died at the age of 79. Following his debut in 1966, John appeared in 25 Wales internationals and five Lions Tests.

A family statement read: "Barry John died peacefully today at the University Hospital of Wales, surrounded by his loving wife and four children."

Wales won three Five Nations titles, a Grand Slam, and two Triple Crowns during his international career. John solidified his Lions legend against the All Blacks in 1971, playing a pivotal part in the historic 2-1 victory against the hosts, who called him 'The King'. He retired the next year, at the age of just 27.

Angry Hong Kong supporters booed Inter Miami during a pre-season match as Lionel Messi did not appear. The 36-year-old Argentina World Cup champion, who had a hamstring injury, was benched as Inter defeated a local League XI 4-1 in front of over 40,000 supporters.

There were "refund" cries, and Inter co-owner David Beckham's address was drowned out by boos. The Hong Kong government has stated that match organisers Tatler Asia may suffer budget cuts.

MetLife Stadium in New Jersey will host the 2026 World Cup final on July 19, while Azteca Stadium in Mexico City will host the first group game on June 11.

Mexico is one of three countries co-hosting the enlarged 48-team tournament, which will stretch a record 39 days and include the United States and Canada.

They have hosted two World Cups, in 1970 and 1986, and the United States hosted in 1994. Canada is hosting for the first time, and their first game is scheduled for June 12 in Toronto.

Judd Trump defeated China's Si Jiahui 10-5 to win a record third German Masters championship.

The Englishman won five of six sets in Sunday's evening session, claiming his 27th ranking tournament of his career. Trump, 34, used his experience to get away from 21-year-old Si, who was in his first ranking final.

Rachin Ravindra continued his batting form from the first day of 1st Test match and made his reached his maiden double ton. Later, he was dismissed by Proteas captain Neil Brand on the score of 240 and missed a well-deserved triple century. Then, the Kiwi innings restricted to 511 all out and now South Africa are batting on the score of 26/2 in ten overs as the game proceeds to the third session.

After conceding 439 runs in the first innings, Afghanistan were trailing by 241 runs in the second innings. With the help of opener Ibrahim Zadran's maiden Test century, Afghanistan now have the lead of 5 runs on Sri Lanka in the first session of the fourth day of the only Test match. Afghans will be eyeing for setting a good target with captain Hashmatullah Shahidi and Nasir Jamal batting. Afghanistan are three wickets down. With five sessions still left in the game, the only-Test can move either way.

AFG - 198 & 246/3 (93)

SL - 439/10

Pakistan’s top javelin thrower, Arshad Nadeem has flown to the United Kingdom to undergo knee surgery in a bid to be fit before the Paris Olympics.

Nadeem, who had claimed the 2022 Commonwealth Games gold medal, had to withdraw from the Asian Games in China last year due to his knee problem.

The cricket boards of Pakistan and Sri Lanka are locked in a financial dispute over who should bear the additional $3-4 million burden incurred due to the shifting of the Asia Cup to the island nation last year.

With the BCCI unwilling to send its team to Pakistan, the original host, due to geopolitical tensions, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) decided on a hybrid model. They roped in Sri Lanka to host the majority of the matches.

India bundled out England for 292 runs in the second innings and win the match by 106 runs in the second Test match. With this win, India level the ongoing five-game series 1-1. Jasprit Bumrah was given the Player of the Match award for taking nine wickets in the match. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill were other outstanding performers for India. Now, both teams will move to Rajkot to play in the third Test match which starts from February 15, 2024.

Argentina reached the Davis Cup Finals group stage by eliminating Kazakhstan 3-2 in the best-of-five-match qualifying round when Sebastian Baez erased two match points and came back to edge Dmitry Popko 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (6) on Sunday.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) will today issue an Invitation To Tender (ITT) for media rights in three territories: Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, from 2024 to 2025.

Following the successful completion of media rights deals in a number of markets, including India, the United Kingdom and Ireland, the United States and Canada, Sub-Saharan Africa, Australia, and the Middle East and North Africa, the ICC is now beginning the process in Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.

Social media is abuzz with news surrounding Chelsea this Monday, just a day after they lost at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers, 4-2. According to rumours, the Blues' dwindling defensive numbers have head coach Mauricio Pochettino reconsidering his approach, with a switch to a three-man defence on the cards.

Other reports, meanwhile, claim that Chelsea, too, are eyeing an change, albeit concerning Poch himself. The Blues, according to rumours, want to arrange a replacement before relieving the Argentinian tactician of his duties - if it were to be the case - and have listed ex-Bayern coach Hansi Flick and Girona manager Michel as key alternatives.

England captain Ben Stokes was left unhappy with the decision to return Zak Crawley to the pavilion, and has spoken out about the same.

"In a game full of ifs, buts and maybes, I am not going to say that's the reason why we haven't got the result we wanted. I'm just saying my personal opinion is that the technology has gone wrong on this occasion, and I think that's fair to say," Stokes said after the second Test defeat against India.

"Technology in the game is obviously there. Everyone has an understanding of the reasons, it can never be 100% which is why we have the umpire's call. That's why it's in place. When it's not 100% as everyone says, I don't think it's unfair for someone to say 'I think the technology has got it wrong on this occasion'. And that is my personal opinion. I will say that."

Kylian Mbappe to Real Madrid: a rumour that simply refuses to go away. But, this time around, there seems to be momentum behind the reports, with several sources claiming that Los Blancos are confident of finally sealing a deal this summer. Fabrizio Romano reports, however, that the ultimate decision whether to switch clubs or not lies with the player himself at the moment, who is yet to communicate his desire to do so to Paris Saint-Germain at the moment.

Rumours indicate that Jasprit Bumrah might be rested for the third Test between India and England in order to manager his workload and prevent any fatigue-related injuries. While Bumrah rests, it is likely that Mohammed Siraj is drafted into the line-up, especially with Mohammed Shami continuing to undergo his rehabilitation at the time of writing.

With teams potentially 180 minutes away from the trophy, the AFC Asian Cup 2023 winds down to what promises to be a thrilling end. Forcing their way into the semi-finals, South Korea will take on Jordan in the penultimate round, hoping that their luck hasn't run out. Qatar, reigning champions, will take on Iran in the other semi, with both teams looking to add to their trophy cabinets.

South Korea will play Jordan on February 6, while Qatar and Iran will compete a day later.

Red Bull chief Christian Horner is under investigation for allegations of inappropriate behaviour by a staff member, the Formula 1 team has confirmed. Horner, however, has denied the claims.