South Africa gets World Cup berth

South Africa earned its first trip to the Women’s World Cup with a 2-0 semifinal victory over Mali in the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. Forward Thembi Kgatlana, who also plays for the Houston Dash of the National Women’s Soccer League, scored in the 31st minute to put South Africa out in front.

Cristiano Ronaldo set up Mario Mandzukic for the winning goal as Juventus secured a spot in Champions League knockout stage with a 1-0 win over Valencia in Turin, Italy. Manchester United beat Young Boys 1-0 to secure the second spot in Group H. Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Manchester City, Roma and Ajax also advanced.

The United Soccer League, the second tier of U.S. men’s soccer leagues, has formed a union for collective bargaining, recognizing the USL Players Assn. as exclusive bargaining representative.

A German court convicted a man, identified only as Sergej W., of 28 counts of attempted murder in last year’s attack on the Borussia Dortmund soccer team’s bus and sentenced him to 14 years in prison.

Rachael Ostovich Berdon, a Hawaii mixed martial arts fighter, will fight in a bout next month even after suffering a broken eye socket when her fellow fighter and husband allegedly hit her. Ostovich Berdon’s manager Brian Butler Au said on social media her fight against Paige VanZant scheduled for Jan. 19 is on. Honolulu police arrested Arnold Berdon on charges of attempted murder after he allegedly punched his wife in the head, face and ribs, fracturing her eye socket.

Patrick Galbraith has been elected board chairman and president of the U.S. Tennis Assn. Galbraith begins his two-year term Jan. 1.