Headlight replacement on 2007 beetle with missing latch actuator

I have an 07 beetle that needs the headlight bulb replaced by I cannot remove the headlight assembly on the drivers side because the rod that actuates the latch under the assembly is missing.

I've spent a couple hours trying to unlatch the assembly by trying to reach the latch with other methods... is there another part I can remove to get the assembly out? It's a cool mechanism until it is broken.