As AT says that panel should remain in place just fine without that clip.
Clipsandfasteners doesn't show one under the Ford p/n but that's not a commonly replaced fastener. If you find yourself in a scrap yard sometime look at the E-Series vans and snag one of those panels complete---here in my area that'd cost you about $5.
FWIW the dash trim panel fasteners break from mishandling which I've done all too easily. They require attention to making sure they're all aligned before pushing a panel into place. As you've discovered they grip very well which makes them a bit difficult to remove and replace.
HTH